Keith Kent State bound

After deliberating most of the week Spencer Keith decided Thursday night to accept a scholarship offer from Kent State. KSU offered Keith on a visit last weekend. The decision ends a recruiting process with ups and downs that included visits to New Mexico State and Vanderbilt but no scholarship offer. Vanderbilt invited Keith to walkon, an option he almost took because of the school's academic reputation. "It's a huge relief," he said. "I only had a day to decide. The last 24 hours I've been talking to my parents and my brothers and coach (Kevin) Kelley (PA coach) and weighing the pros and cons. I feel like I'm going to have a chance to play early, and I think I can get a good education. It may not be as good as Vanderbilt, but if I will have a better chance of playing. I decided on that, and I think if I work hard on my grades I can go to a good medical school." Keith, an honor student, said he was comforted after talking to a KSU academic counselor. He wanted to major in Pre-Med, and decided the Ohio school offered a good enough program. He also talked to his brother Michael, who starred at Stuttgart and walked on at Georgia Tech for a season. Keith said he liked KSU coach Doug Martin and the rest of the staff. Kent State was only 4-8 last season, but Keith thinks the program is on the rise. "They had the second-best recruiting class in the MAC last year and the best this year," he said. "They have a big indoor practice facility, which is important being so far north." Keith, who, will redishirt his first season, not only led the state in passing, he led the nation by completing a state-record 397 of 626 passes for 5,330 yards and 70 touchdowns with 22 interceptions. Keith also ran for more than 300 yards.