Michigan State football coach Mel Tucker has been busy this week preparing for the early signing period, but the Spartans coach took time to offer a special tribute for a former high school prospect who won't have the opportunity to play college football. Tucker announced Wednesday that Tate Myre, who was one of four students killed in the Oxford High School shooting north of Detroit on Nov. 30, is the program's first "Spartan Dawg" of the 2022 class.
Myre was a running back and linebacker with Division I dreams amid his junior season of high school football. He visited Toledo just two days before the shooting but was a Michigan State fan. Myre attempted to stop the shooter on Nov. 28 and has been lauded as a hero for his efforts.
"We are honored to recognize Tate Myre as the first Spartan Dawg of the 2022 class," Tucker said in a video posted by Michigan State. "A Spartan Dawg is defined not by the plays they make on the field but by the character they exemplify, the leadership they bring to their team and their community, and for extraordinary individuals like Tate Myre, their heroism. Tate is and always will be a Spartan Dawg. Tate Myre had an unmatched work ethic, athleticism and love for his teammates. He had a passion to one day play for Michigan State. His passion was paired with an unstoppable drive and follow through to get there. Tate's consistency on and off the football field elevated everyone who knew him."
We would like to welcome Tate Myre as an honorary Spartan Dawg to our #Proce22Driven class 💚 #SD4L #OxfordStrong pic.twitter.com/QD64s0HKnP
— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) December 15, 2021
Myre was under consideration for a future preferred walk-on opportunity, according to SpartanTailgate. He played as both a running back and linebacker for Oxford High School. He posted on Twitter that, as of Nov. 10, he'd amassed 71.5 tackles and scored 10 touchdowns on the season.
