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Michigan State Football: Week 1 depth chart takeaways
Michigan State Football has released its week one depth chart for the Furman game, and here is what we learned.
Mark Dantonio has released the depth chart for Michigan State Football’s week one matchup with the Furman Paladins. There wasn’t too much moving and shaking, but there were some takeaways from the first depth chart of the year.
Must Read: MSU Football: 2016 season preview and prediction
So, what did we learn from looking at the official depth chart?
Receiver depth
I’ve been preaching the emergence of senior wide out Monty Madaris all offseason and it looks like the coaching staff is just as high on him as I am. He’s starting at the Z receiver as R.J. Shelton is the F starter and Felton Davis III is No. 1 at X receiver.
When you look up and down at the first through fourth-string receivers, you notice the depth. Both Trishton Jackson and Cam Chambers are listed as fourth-stringers while Darrell Stewart and Donnie Corley are No. 2. Keep an eye on Justin Layne as well who is listed as a third-stringer at Z, but could rise up the charts.
Still an ‘OR’ at tight end
Josiah Price is an All-Big Ten caliber tight end who caught a career-best six touchdown passes last season. His yardage decreased from his sophomore to junior season, but it was injuries and blocking that caused him to lose snaps to Jamal Lyles and Paul Lang. It will be interesting to see if Price can eventually win out the starting tight end role, outright.
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Quarterback pecking order set
As well all know by now, Tyler O’Connor is the starting quarterback for week one, which was announced last week. However, there had been an ‘OR’ between Brian Lewerke and Damion Terry for the backup job. Not anymore.
Maybe it was a solid couple of weeks at practice for Terry which separated himself as the backup or just Dantonio finally solidifying it. Terry is No. 2, Lewerke is third and Messiah deWeaver (likely facing a redshirt) comes in at four.
Surprises at left and right tackle?
Many believed Dennis Finley would come back and win the starting tackle job, but right now, the right tackle position belongs to Miguel Machado and left tackle is David Beedle’s. Will there be some rising and falling in the depth chart after week one?
Another interesting position is right guard which is listed as an ‘OR’ between Benny McGowan and Brandon Clemons.
Kevin Williams/Evan Jones starting
It was almost assumed redshirt freshman Raequan Williams would be starting this season at defensive tackle, but it’s Nebraska transfer Kevin Williams who has won the job alongside Malik McDowell this week.
Demetrius Cooper has one of the defensive end positions locked down while Evan Jones is starting at the other. Behind Cooper, and pushing for major snaps, is Delaware State transfer Gabe Sherrod and freshman sensation Josh King.
Auston Robertson is third-string behind Jones.
STAR linebacker
Andrew Dowell is one of the more intriguing players on Michigan State’s defense and he will bring some athleticism to the linebacking unit. Still awaiting word on Ed Davis, who could be the starter here, Chris Frey is pushing as the ‘OR’ at the position with Dowell.
This group could be the best in the Big Ten.
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