Three B1G Things: MSU lands first commitment, Pat Fitzgerald's six-week timeline & former Huskers RB vows to help country

Three B1G Things is a daily weekday update on some of the most unique and interesting stories from across the B1G. It ranges from recruiting to coach press conferences, funny anecdotes to serious situations. We provide our commentary, analysis and opinions on a few topics every day.

Michigan State is on the board

Mel Tucker has finally landed his first recruit of the 2021 recruiting class. It took a little extra time, but Michigan State has finally joined the rest of the B1G in having at least one player verbally pledge to the program. Now, will their be an uptick in commitments?

Davion Primm, an in-state, three-star running back, gave his verbal commitment to MSU on Tuesday night, becoming the first player of the 2021 recruiting cycle to do so. Now that the first domino has fallen, it may help Tucker and his staff in landing a few more pledges to bolster the class.

Tucker and his staff have been behind the 8-ball from the get-go. Not only did Mark Dantonio’s late resignation decision hurt the Spartans in preparing for the 2021 class, but the cancellation of spring practice and recruiting visits has really hindered this new staff’s ability to meet face-to-face with prospects, show them around East Lansing and pitch their program properly.

It’s not entirely the fault of Tucker and his staff that it took so long to get the first commitment, and there’s still a lot of time between now and the Early Signing Period to assemble a strong first class. It’ll be interesting to see if a slew of prospects now start giving MSU a little more consideration now that the 2021 class finally has a member.

Pat Fitzgerald provides slightly different window for CFB to start on time

Last week, Penn State AD Sandy Barbour met with reporters to talk about several different topics, but one of the main focuses of the conversation was what it would take for the college football season to start on time. Along with being able to allow students back on campuses, Barbour explained that having student-athletes back 60 days before the first game would be ideal timing to minimize the injury risk.

Northwestern’s Pat Fitzgerald provided a slightly different timeline.

In an interview on SiriusXM Radio this week, Fitzgerald said having players back with six weeks to prepare would “give us a chance” to start the season on time. That would be an 18-day difference from what Barbour suggested last week.

The 60-day timeline would have players back on campuses by July 1-July 7, depending on the team’s first game. Fitzgerald’s timeline woul suggest that July 18-25 would allow enough time to have student-athletes in shape and ready for the season. It’s obviously not ideal, but the Northwestern head coach believes it could be done.

In the coming weeks and months, it’s likely the NCAA and conference commissioners will work together to put a realistic timeline out.

A Newby to the Nebraska National Guard

Terrell Newby is following in his father’s footsteps. The former Nebraska running back (2013-16) is joining the National Guard to pursue his lifelong passion of wanting to help his country. His father, Terrell Newby Sr., was a member of the Army and instilled that drive in him at an early age.

In order to pursue that career option, Newby had to make the tough decision to hang up the cleats and shoulder pads and step away from football. After pursuing a professional career on the gridiron, the former Husker decided to focus on his other life goals.

“He instilled these Army values in me,” Newby told Sam McKewon of the Omaha World-Herald. “I always wanted to do it, but playing football my whole life was my main focus.”

Newby also said that joining the National Guard will allow him to balance his civilian life as a real estate developer and his service life. It was a perfect fit for the former Nebraska running back.

And it’s really cool that he’s had the opportunity to pursue so many passions, and follow in his father’s footsteps. Hats off to Newby for helping his country after his football career came to an end.