Bucking His Parents' Demands, Malik McDowell Signs Letter Of Intent With MSU

SOUTHFIELD (CBS Detroit) It is official. Despite his parents' best efforts, Malik McDowell is a Michigan State Spartan. The 6-foot-7, 290-pound defensive lineman from Southfield, who was pursued by dozens of colleges, made it Twitter official Wednesday.

The choice means McDowell spurned suitors including Ohio State, the University of Michigan, Florida State and Alabama.

His very vocal parents are more than likely displeased with the decision, having told multiple media outlets they did not want their son at Michigan State, presumably because of its reputation as a party school.

His mother Joya Crowe told national outlets Michigan State had "too much social life."

"He's coming around because he knows how adamant we are about him not attending Michigan State," Malik's father Greg McDowell previously told 247 Sports.com. "I don't have anything bad to say against Michigan State but I don't think they're the school for my son. I think the coaches are cool and they're establishing a good program, but this is my son and I choose to not want him there."

His parents have been mum since McDowell indicated on National Signing Day, Feb. 5, that Michigan State was his school of choice.

Beforehand, Greg McDowell said, "If he were to choose Michigan State I don't know what I would do ... It is what it is. I just want my son away from this environment and Michigan. I want him out of here."

When he announced his intention to become a Spartan, McDowell said, "I felt like they can get the best out of me.

"I took a lot of input from my family," he continued. "I listened to what they said, but I still had to make my own decision."

Certainly, Michigan State is happy to have McDowell, a five-star prospect.

When he chose Michigan State, head coach Mark Dantonio quickly offered congratulations to McDowell --notably including his family.