Michigan State Depth Chart shows... depth, and lots of it

ES is checking out the published depth chart for the Big Green this fall.   Below are the positions entering the fall and don't include Spartan freshmen or walk-ons.  The ES has highlighted in bold those returners who saw significant playing time (that the ES remembers), particularly in big games in 2011. In two positions (C and FS) there is some experience, but not listed as starters; thus that position was not bold-faced.  Lots of talent in the trenches for Michigan State, and the depth is outstanding on the defensive side of the ball.


OFFENSE

QB
10 Andrew Maxwell (6-3, 212, Jr)
18 Connor Cook (6-4, 222, R-Fr)
FB
38 Niko Palazeti (6-1, 250, So)
37 Trevon Pendleton (5-11, 248, R-Fr)
TB
24 Le’Veon Bell (6-2, 244, Jr)
22 Larry Caper (5-11, 222, Sr)
20 Nick Hill (5-8, 190, So)
LT
59 Dan France (6-6, 315, Jr)
70 Skyler Burkland (6-7, 315, So)
LG
64 Blake Treadwell (6-3, 300, Jr)
66 Jack Allen (6-1, 295, R-Fr)
C
63 Travis Jackson (6-3, 280, So)
68 Ethan Ruhland (6-5, 290, Sr-5)
RG
62 Chris McDonald (6-5, 298, Sr-5)
72 Nate Klatt (6-4, 290, Jr)
RT
51 Fou Fonoti (6-4, 296, Sr)
77 Henry Conway (6-6, 330, Jr)
TE
80 Dion Sims (6-5, 285, Jr)
42 Denzel Drone (6-2, 260, Jr)
WR
13 Bennie Fowler (6-1, 218, Jr)
14 Tony Lippett (6-3, 190, So)
WR
25 Keith Mumphery (6-0, 208, So)
21 Andre Sims Jr (5-9, 182, R-Fr) OR
5  DeAnthony Arnett (5-11, 170, So)


DEFENSE

DE
44 Marcus Rush (6-2, 250, So)
89 Shilique Calhoun (6-4, 240, R-Fr)
DT
98 Anthony Rashad White (6-2, 330, Sr)
93 Damon Knox (6-4, 278, R-Fr)
60 Micajah Reynolds (6-5, 318, Jr)
NT
91 Tyler Hoover (6-7, 310, Sr-5)
99 James Kittredge (6-4, 272, So)
DE
2 William Gholston (6-7, 278, Jr)
92 Joel Heath (6-6, 266, R-Fr)
8 Lawrence Thomas (6-3, 295, R-Fr)
SLB
10 Chris Norman (6-1, 233, Sr)
45 Darien Harris (6-0, 210, R-Fr)
34 Taiwan Jones (6-3, 230, So)
MLB
40 Max Bullough (6-3, 252, Jr)
50 Steve Gardiner (6-1, 224, Sr-5)
49 TyQuan Hammock (6-0, 245, Jr)
WLB
28 Denicos Allen (5-11, 225, Jr)
41 Kyler Elsworth (6-1, 220, Jr)
CB
31 Darqueze Dennard (5-11, 188, Jr)
15 Trae Waynes (6-1, 175, R-Fr)
6 Mylan Hicks (5-11, 192, So)
FS
27 Kurtis Drummond (6-1, 200, So)
26 RJ Williamson (6-0, 205, R-Fr)
12 Dana Dixon (6-2, 176, Jr)
SS
9 Isaiah Lewis (5-10, 205, Jr)
23 Jairus Jones (6-1, 207, Jr)
CB
5 Johnny Adams (5-11, 177, Sr-5)
32 Mitchell White (5-11, 185, Sr-5)

SPECIALISTS

KO
17 Kevin Muma (6-0, 195, Jr)
4 Dan Conroy (5-10, 186, Sr-5)
PK
4 Dan Conroy (5-10, 186, Sr-5)
17 Kevin Muma (6-0, 195, Jr)
P
3 Mike Sadler (6-0, 180, So)
17 Kevin Muma (6-0, 195, Jr)

Scouting Montana State: MSU Kickoff 2009

Five days until Michigan State serves up some skewered Bobcat on its menu. It's interesting to see three OL starters have "suffered from ailments" this fall: Rocco Cironi, Joel Nitchman and J'Michael Deane. This has opened the door to Brendan Moss to see some playing time. Watch the OL closely vs the Bobcats this week.

Scouting the Bobcats

According to the Bobcats sports info, their last practice of the fall was "sharp" on both sides of the ball. Four QBs combined to throw for 306 yards with two competing for the starting job: Mark Iddins completed 19 of his 24 passes for 148 yards, and Cody Kempt finished 8-for-15 for 100 yards. The offenses didn't commit a turnover, and four players on its defense were "able to generate an effective pass rush." Two of their starting running backs (Aaron Mason, Blayde Becksted) are out with injuries, leaving it to sophomore CJ Palmer and redshirt freshman Ricky Evans (65 yards on 8 carries in the scrimmage). If you want your fix on the Bobcats, with a likely preview from the Bozeman Daily Chronicle, visit the Blue & Gold blog.

Second scrimmage: The Cousins and Caper show

The LSJ has a brief writeup of yesterday's scrimmage, the second of the week, and the ES broke out the statistics below to make it easier to follow. Highlighting the performance on offense was improvement from Kirk Cousins, which just tightens the QB race back up with Keith Nichol. TE Dion Sims made big plays, and RB Larry Caper has seemingly taken the lead with a productive 4.9 yards per carry average yesterday. And, you gotta love it when our LBs are our leading two tacklers. Said the Doctor, "I thought the offense played and executed better... The quarterbacks threw the ball effectively, and the offense ran the ball better, especially in third-and-short situations... Defensively, the guys up front know what they're doing, so they play fast and there aren't many missed assignments. We're 16 practices into camp and the guys are playing at game speed." Statistics from Friday's scrimmage:

Quarterbacks:

• Cousins: 6-13-119. 1 TD, 1 INT.
  
• Nichol: 7-14-54. 0 TD, 0 INT.
  

Running Backs:

• Caper: 14-68. 1 TD (7 yards). 4.9 ypc.
• Ray: 16-37. 2.3 ypc.
• Baker: 14-32. 2.3 ypc.
  

Receivers:

• White: 3-66.
• Sims: 2-38. 1 TD.
  

Defense:

• Jones: 10 tackles, 2 TFL, 1 sack.
  
• Gordon: 8 tackles.
• Rucker: 1 INT, 1 TD.
  

Dion Sims impresses Big Ten Network, Dantonio

One big positive out of the Big Ten Network is the ability to catch a glimpse of practice sessions, and today was Exhibit A as the BTN took a glimpse at Michigan State under 90-degree weather. It was a sweat box.

From some of what the ES saw, on offense pass protection seemed pretty good, but the Spartan defense -- particularly the 'backers -- were able to tee off on the running game, plugging the holes effectively. There was a particularly nice roll out right by QB Keith Nichol as he dodged out of the pocket, and threw across his body with great strength and accuracy, and hit a streaking receiver across the middle.

The Doctor was interviewed... and what was telling were the particular names he mentioned. He singled out Brandon Denson for his work ethic and the whole LB corps as a strength. He mentioned he expected to have a 3-RB rotation of 100+ carries by each this fall. As for the new recruits, two seemed to stick out: Chris Norman and Dion Sims who are "getting a lot of reps."

The BTN crew chimed in with their thoughts, and agreed there seemingly was no difference between Nichol or Kirk Cousins at QB. BTN commentator Howard Griffith was very impressed with Spartan receivers, and noted the teams' potential "to put a lot of points on the board." Both Griffith and Gerry DiNardo were impressed by the pair of true frosh RBs, Ed Baker and Larry Caper... although DiNardo feels Baker has the edge. The pair "looked good catching the ball and picking up blitzes." Hopefully, they can run well, too...

Finally, when asked about "under the radar" players, DiNardo mentioned Lansing native Micajah Reynolds as an OL that may be able to get some quality playing time. Griffith and Dave Revsine both drooled over Dion Sims at TE that he "was special."

Spartan Media Day Notes - ES Nuggets

The Big Green is underway for fall camp; lots of song and dance, as is typical early. Good news, knock on wood - everyone is healthy, and there is good depth across the offense and defense. A few nuggets the ES found of interest.

Dantonio on RBs, QBs: "The next two weeks, three weeks will tell the difference, tell the story there. But if not, I'm okay with that. I don't think the quarterback situation is a problem. I think our quarterback situation is as strong as it's been since I've been here. We lack game experience, and that's a big deal. "

More from MD on RBs by committee: "But somebody has to come to the forefront there. Somebody has to emerge, and really when you look at it, it's going to be an opportunity probably for two guys to get 150-to-200 carries each or for three guys to get 100 carries each, but whatever the situation dictates, that will play itself out."

From offensive coordinator Don Treadwell, expect more balance: "one of the things we hope to utilize is more balance because we have more veteran players in the bigger picture overall. So we don't have to look at the running back position to carry the load per say. With returning veterans at receiver and tight end, that should do well for us."

This summer, Brett Swenson trained with the best kicker in football history (college and pro), Morten Andersen. He stated "my flexibility is much better and think I'm more efficient in getting to the ball."

Defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi on LB Greg Jones: "as good as a linebacker as I have coached in 20 years. He has everything. He has a nose for the ball which is probably the most important thing and he has great instincts."

D-line coach Ted Gill on Jerel Worthy: "We spotted Jerel a couple years ago in camp. He has a lot of athletic ability. He can dunk a basketball, and he can change direction very well."

D-lineman Oren Wilson: "I feel like we are underrated. I mean we have a lot to work on, and a lot to prove. We have a lot of depth at every position."

Andrew Hawken has switched to FB from linebacker.

MEET THE SPARTANS

Meet the Spartans is schedule for Aug 18 - all you kids can head on out to Tuesday, Aug. 18 from 5:45-7:15 p.m. at Meridian Mall in Okemos, Mich.

Fall Camp Begins; MSU vs Florida Atlantic... in Chicago?

Michigan State opened its 2009 football camp on Sunday with the players reporting for academic and compliance meetings, as well as physical exams. Practice starts with running tests and a full practice tomorrow morning. The Spartans will practice in full pads for the first time on Friday, Aug. 14.

The ES doesn't need to reinvent the wheel. Want to learn about our offense (7 starters, 18 letters return): read here. Our defense (8 starters, 24 letters return): read here.

An interesting scenario out of Florida relating to next year's MSU vs Florida Atlantic game. FAU is constructing a new stadium that won't be ready until 2011, and owes MSU $150,000 from last year's meeting. According the Palm Beach Post, FAU is considering hosting Michigan State at an NFL stadium as its home site -- and playing at Ford Field in Detroit or Soldier Field in Chicago may bring a hefty Spartan fan base, but as a home game FAU would raise up to $2 million. According to the article, FAU believes they could sell 50,000 tickets in Detroit or Chicago. Their new stadium? $63 million and 30,000 seats as part of an "Innovation Village project that also includes housing, recreation facilities and retail shops."

Funny, I guess if they host the game down in Florida, they wouldn't draw anywhere near as large of a crowd as if they came up to Spartan country to take our dollars up here. This is a bonus for MSU if it works out... we have to play them away as it is, so why not play them just down the road -- it would be a home crowd. And, if in Detroit, it could conceivably save MSU tens of thousands of dollars in travel costs for the team, not to mention less time away from school.