A standout defensive end recruit from Southfield Christian, Michigan State sophomore fullback Taylor Calero made the decision to leave the program on Tuesday, a mere three days before his team's scheduled opener against Boise State.

The 6'3", 248-pound Calero came to East Lansing as a defensive edge rusher with 4.6 speed and a 34-inch vertical jump, but did not figure to see significant playing time as a defensive lineman and switched over to fullback this spring. And while it would seem likely that an outstanding athlete like Calero could work his way onto the field at a smaller school, the Detroit Free Press' Joe Rexrode is reporting that the third-year back will remain enrolled in classes:

#MSU DE turned FB Taylor Calero has voluntarily left the program but will remain enrolled in school, John Lewandowski confirms.

— Joe Rexrode (@joerexrode) August 28, 2012

It is hard to ignore the likelihood that Calero's position change factored heavily into his decision, but it's odd that his announcement would come so close to the start of the season. The Spartans won't lose any sleep over not having him on their roster going forward, but it will be interesting to see if he catches on at a smaller local school.

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