17 Takeaways from Michigan State Football Spring Practice Press Conference

Spring football is finally here.  Practice begins today and will run through the Spring Game on April 25. With the release of the spring football roster and depth chart, and Coach Dantonio’s press conference, below are a few things to note:

• The biggest story (which isn’t suprising) is that both Macgarrett Kings and Delton Williams are not listed on the roster, referred to by Coach Dantonio as “in limbo.”  Both were recently arrested, Kings for resisting arrest after allegedly kicking a PACE truck, Williams for allegedly brandishing a gun at another motorist on campus.  Dantonio said they’re “day-to-day on a lot of guys,” which is a bit concerning. 
• Due to Williams’ incident, it’s no surprise that Madre London and Gerald Holmes are both listed as co-starters at running back.  Holmes has reportedly been doing very really during winter conditioning and has taken a leadership role with the position group.  London is a highly touted RB from Florida who redshirted this past season.  Both players will compete for reps while the staff waits for L.J. Scott to join the competition in the fall.
• Damion Terry is listed at 230 pounds.  Contrast that with Connor Cook, who is an inch taller and 222 pounds.  This may help Terry in the future due to his dual-threat ability.
• T.J. Harrell is going to see reps at both linebacker and running back. Harrell was recruited by several schools at the RB position, and is currently listed ahead of Gerald Owens on the depth chart.  Owens is listed at 260 pounds.
• There is no doubt that Trevon Pendleton will start at FB, but former defensive tackle David Fennell has been moved to fullback as well. Now wearing #47, the Spartans have the potential to have a 305 pound fullback clearing holes for their running backs.  This must mean that the staff feels Fennell is athletic enough to try the position, and I could see him being used in goal line situations.  The staff did move Todd Anderson from the defensive line to fullback in 2011, but he was not nearly as heavy as Fennell. 
• Monty Madaris is listed as a starting wide receiver, and Dantonio mentioned that he had a very impressive fall camp that allowed him limited snaps last year.  Madaris is a big-bodied WR that will compete with Burbridge and Shelton for starting time.
• Other notable WR notes: DeAnthony Arnett is second on the depth chart behind Madaris. Walk-on Matt Macksood is ahead of fifth year senior AJ Sims, and is also listed as the holder, bringing back memories of former WR Brad Sonntag as the holder. 
• Not too many surprises on the offensive line, with Brian Allen listed as a starter at guard, and Brandon Clemons a backup.  However we know that it is likely seven to eight players will see playing time next year. One surprise was that Chase Gianacakos is listed as a guard and Nick Padla a tackle.  I thought that it would be the opposite, but regardless this shows that the staff would like to increase the size of their guards (not counting the Allen brothers).
• The staff is trying to get the best players on the field, so Lawrence Thomas is moving to defensive end, however he’ll still likely see time inside as well. The staff isn’t ready yet to trust a redshirt freshman starting, and this allows Malik McDowell to start.  When evaluating the depth and the starters, this has the potential to be one of the best defensive lines in the conference and country.
• Riley Bullough and Jon Reschke are listed as co-starters, as Reschke is ahead of schedule on his recovery from shoulder surgery.
• A player who has been very quiet his first two years is Shane Jones.  Dantonio identified Jones when he brought up the MIKE position, mentioning that he is “very excited about what he’s been able to do thus far in terms of him coming along.”
• Coming out of high school Chris Frey was listed at 6’0”, but he apparently has grown two inches to 6’2”. 
• Demetrious Cox is listed as one starting corner, and Darian Hicks & Vayante Copeland are listed as co-starters at the other spot.  This will be an interesting battle, as Hicks has starting experience, but Copeland has two inches and twenty pounds on Hicks.  There was a lot of buzz about Copeland throughout the fall, which explains why he’s ahead of upperclassmen Arjen Colquhoun and Jermaine Edmundson. 
• I thought Jalen Watts-Jackson would project as a corner, but he is listed as a safety on the depth chart. 
• Michael Geiger had hip surgery and will be out for the spring. Kevin Cronin will handle the kicking duties in Geiger’s absence during the spring. 
• The depth chart is filled with a lot of quality walk-ons third and fourth on the depth chart. Get familiar with a few of these names, as odds are a few will break into the playing group in a couple years.
• And lastly, Craig Evans is listed at 328 pounds. However defensive line coach Ron Burton did mention that he can still move very well at that weight, so this doesn’t appear to be an Antonio Jeremiah situation, at least not yet.