Insider: Caleb Swanigan's commitment to Michigan State never seemed solid

Say what you will about recruiting – it never lacks for drama.

Caleb Swanigan, this year's IndyStar Mr. Basketball, rescinded his commitment from Michigan State, according to a report from ESPN's Jeff Goodman, who went to write that Purdue is a possible landing spot.

Surprising? Maybe, maybe not. The 6-9 Swanigan never signed a letter of intent, leaving the door open for this scenario. I spoke briefly with Swanigan's guardian, Roosevelt Barnes, on Thursday afternoon. When told of the report of the decommitment, Barnes asked where it originated and said he'd look into it. He didn't respond to further messages or calls.

But just a few weeks ago, as I was talking to Barnes for a story on Swanigan winning Mr. Basketball, he mentioned that he'd like to hold off on making a decision. Swanigan had already set a date for an announcement at the Hoop Summit in Oregon. Several national reporters, including Goodman, expected Swanigan to choose Cal. Instead, the pick was Michigan State.

Before Swanigan's original commitment, Barnes said this: "Sometimes kids don't understand that this is a business decision. Even high school can be a business now. So you don't want to get caught up in the emotion of it. There's no hurry. I'd rather him make the right decision."

Reading between the lines, there appeared to be some disconnect on the school of choice. Cal, Duke, Michigan State and Purdue were considered the frontrunners. Barnes, a Purdue grad, has a longstanding friend of Cal coach and former Purdue standout Cuonzo Martin, who already has a pair of top-10 recruits in the 2015 class on the way to Berkeley.

Getting a commitment – and signature – from Swanigan would be a huge coup for Purdue. The 6-9 forward, ranked No. 19 by Rivals, averaged 22.6 points and 13.7 rebounds as a senior and led Homestead to the Class 4A state title. The Boilermakers already have an intimidating frontline with 7-foot A.J. Hammons and 7-2 Isaac Haas.

Swanigan would also give Purdue its first Mr. Basketball since Gary Roosevelt's Glenn Robinson in 1991. Carmel's Ryan Cline, this year's Mr. Basketball runner-up, has signed in Purdue's 2015 class.

So where is this recruitment headed next? Homestead coach Chris Johnson said that he was finding out just like everyone else on Thursday afternoon. Hopefully, Swanigan ultimately chooses where he wants to be and not where anyone else wants him to be.

Of course, you never know in recruiting. Swanigan tweeted this after committing to Michigan State:

"Once a Spartan. Always a Spartan."