2012 outlook
TIGHT ENDS
The Spartans have possessed one of the deepest, most experienced tight end groups in the nation the past few seasons, regularly featuring multiple players owning starts to their credit. This season, however, junior Dion Sims (6-5, 285) is the only returning letterwinner at the position with starting experience under his belt, and he will be counted on to lead the relatively young tight end corps. Sims appears on the preseason watch list for the Mackey Award, which is presented to the nation’s top tight end, marking the fourth-straight year the Spartans have had a player up for the prestigious award. Although he played the second half of 2011 with a broken hand, Sims still managed to play in all 14 games and rank tied for third on the team with three touchdown receptions; all of his 12 catches arrived in the first seven games. A threat in the red zone, Sims already has six career TD receptions in his two seasons. With his experience, Sims could have a more expanded role in the passing game, said Roushar, while the young receivers continue their maturation process. Joining Sims on the depth chart at tight end to make up for the losses of Brian Linthicum and Garrett Celek is converted defensive end Denzel Drone (6-2, 260, Jr.), who made the transition to the offensive side of the ball during spring practice. “Denzel can move back into the defense and not miss a beat really,” said Dantonio. “He was a good tight end in high school. We have a need at that position, so he can walk over there and be in an immediate situation where he can play either an F, or a move tight end, or a stationary tight end.” Third-year walk-on Andrew Gleichert (6-5, 250, So.) took reps with the No. 1 and No. 2 offense in the spring and could see action in a two-tight end formation. Two-year letterwinner Derek Hoebing (6-7, 270, Jr.) and Paul Lang (6-5, 255, R-Fr.) also provide depth at the position.
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Fowler has been battling lingering foot problems his entire career, but has been productive when he’s made it to the field. As a red-shirt freshman in 2010, Fowler emerged as a multi-dimensional threat with 573 all-purpose yards, including 175 receiving yards on 14 catches. But he was limited to just five games of action last season and primarily played special teams. Due to a lack of depth at cornerback last season, Lippett played on both sides of the ball, eventually being used a majority of the time on defense. He appeared in all 14 games, including five starts at cornerback, and tied for second on the team with five pass break-ups. Lippett moved back over to the offense exclusively at the onset of spring practice and is expected to be a playmaker for the Spartans this fall. One thing is for certain – preseason camp will be a critical time for Maxwell and the receivers to develop a further sense of chemistry before the season begins, especially with Fowler and Lippett. “I think we’ve got some very talented guys, but they didn’t get to make the progress (in spring practice),” Roushar said. “I think they can get it done, and hopefully they’ll be much more ready when they report for camp. That’s probably the biggest negative of what happened this spring and could slow our progress, but I don’t see it to be such a concern that these guys won’t come back and play at a high level.” The Spartans received good news following the conclusion of spring practice as DeAnthony Arnett (5-11, 170, So.), a transfer from Tennessee, was ruled eligible to play in 2012 after the NCAA granted his request for a residence waiver. Arnett transferred to Michigan State at the beginning of the spring semester in January so he could be closer to his hometown of Saginaw, Mich., and his father William, who is battling heart and kidney problems. Arnett is expected to contribute immediately after an impressive freshman campaign in 2011 for the Volunteers. He was third on the team in catches (24) and fifth in receiving yards (242) to go along with two TDs; his 24 receptions tied for second most by a true freshman in Tennessee history. Two more young receivers that will see playing time include sophomore Keith Mumphery (6-0, 208) and red-shirt freshman Andre Sims Jr. (5-9, 182). Mumphery was named the Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year in 2010 and earned his first letter last season playing in all 14 games, primarily on special teams. Sims redshirted in 2011 but served notice in the spring after recording five receptions for 58 yards in three spring scrimmages, including a
2012 Spartans
WIDE RECEIVERS
Michigan State must replace three wide receivers with starting experience (B.J. Cunningham, Keshawn Martin and Keith Nichol) and two tight ends (Brian Linthicum and Garrett Celek). Cunningham had a historic senior season, tying a school single-season record with 79 receptions while leaving East Lansing as the program’s all-time record holder in receptions (218) and receiving yards (3,086). In addition, Martin’s 66 catches tied for sixth in an MSU single season; combined, Cunningham and Martin produced the most prolific season by a wide receiving duo in Spartan history with 145 catches and 2,083 yards. All told, the Spartans only return 23 percent of the team’s receptions and 16 percent of the team’s receiving yards from last season. That being said, the cupboard certainly isn’t bare in terms of talent. There are plenty of options for quarterback Andrew Maxwell, who has worked with a majority of the rising newcomers both in the spring and during his time with the No. 2 offense last season. “Wide receiver is a position where we’ve lost a lot of players,” said Dantonio. “The yards and catches really have been sort of depleted in that area. So that’s a position where we’ve addressed those needs in recruiting, and we’re addressing those needs with position moves or different situations we’re trying to deal with. “It’s going to be important (for the receivers) to work extremely hard. But I think they’re very, very capable of giving us explosiveness out there in big plays.” Unfortunately, two of the most experienced receivers saw limited time during spring practice, as Bennie Fowler (6-1, 218, Jr.) continued to heal from a foot injury and Tony Lippett (6-3, 190, So.) sprained an ankle and missed the second half of spring drills.
Chris McDonald, who has started 26 career games at right guard, is one of four returning starters on the offensive line for the Spartans.
team-best three catches for 22 yards and a TD for the White in the spring game. “Keith is a guy that’s ready to explode onto the scene,” said Dantonio. “And A.J. (Andre) is a very exciting player, who can get north and south quick.” A transition for Langford from running back to wide receiver appeared to be the right move in the middle of spring practice, as he quickly picked up on the position and made an impact with five catches in the first two scrimmages, giving the Spartans yet another target. “I really feel like he’s too good of an athlete to play one position and be the fourth tailback,” Dantonio said on Langford. “We’ve got to get him on the field, just like we did last year with special teams. He’s a guy who catches the ball well down the field and does some things naturally like Keshawn (Martin) did.” Juwan Caesar (6-4, 212, R-Fr.), John Jakubik (6-0, 188, So.) and AJ Troup (6-2, 205, R-Fr.,) add depth at wide receiver, in addition to Kyle Kerrick (6-3, 194), an incoming freshman who enrolled early and participated in spring practice. True freshmen Aaron Burbridge (6-1, 190), Macgarrett Kings Jr. (5-10, 183) and Monty Madaris (6-1, 190) also enter preseason camp with a chance to see action.
2012 outlook
and he’s been more sound in protection,” Roushar said of Caper’s play in spring practice. “He’s catching the football, so I see good things. We’re counting on him.” As a red-shirt freshman, Hill saw the field as a kick returner and responded by compiling the second-most kick return yards in school history with 999. This fall, he will compete for carries out of the backfield in addition to his duties on special teams. Playing for both teams in the Green-White spring game, Hill combined to rush for 95 yards on 19 carries, including a 32-yard TD run for the White in the fourth quarter. “Nick Hill is a phenomenal running back as well,” said Dantonio. “He gives you that little bit of that Edwin Baker type of thing, where he’s in and out of cuts and hides behind people, and he’s extremely explosive.” The trio of Bell, Caper and Hill should benefit from an experienced offensive line that features seven players with starting experience. “They’re gaining confidence in what they see and are able to stay within the structure of what we’re doing schematically, and not all of the sudden ad-libbing and being somewhere we didn’t want them to be,” Roushar said. “You see guys playing faster, they’re stronger, the usage of their hands is better and they’re much closer to what we want them to be and need them to be for us to be successful.” Jeremy Langford (6-0, 205, So.), who moved to wide receiver during the middle of spring practice, also has experience at running back and provides depth at the position. At fullback, sophomore Niko Palazeti (6-1, 250) is the leading candidate for the starting position left vacated by the graduation of Todd Anderson. In addition to Palazeti, walk-on Trevon Pendleton (5-11, 248, R-Fr.) and converted defensive end Taylor Calero (6-3, 248, So.) add depth at the position.
OFFENSIVE LINE
After years of having to replace multiple starters on the offensive line, this season Michigan State returns seven offensive linemen with starting experience, giving it the potential to be the strongest front five in the Dantonio era. The depth has afforded Roushar and offensive line coach Mark Staten to juggle personnel
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