Fall camp notes: Where the MSU football offensive line stands as fall camp begins
Depth is the main concern for the Spartans going into this season.
Depth is the main concern for the Spartans going into this season.
Michigan State, while certainly trending in a positive direction, may still take a step back in the win-loss column.
It’s been five long years since Michigan State has had any doubt at its kicker position. That’s how great Matt Coghlin was. Consistent, clutch and, mostly, durable.
I’m here to help you. Not out of the kindness of my heart, but selfishly as I want you all to be on your best behavior and for us upperclassmen not to immediately be able to pick you out as you awkwardly stand there with your phone in your hand as the alma mater starts to play.
We’re exactly one month away from Michigan State’s opening matchup versus Western Michigan, with training camp opening this week. Here are six essential questions to investigate with the season on the horizon.
Henderson’s return was a welcome sight for MSU who gets back one of its strongest leaders on the team. It also wiped away the potentially cloudy future of Michigan State’s safety position.
“We were not very good last year and we know that,” Tucker said. “It is up to us to figure out a way to be more consistent to give our football team a chance to beat good teams.”
Reed said on the field is not where he feels he has made the best strides this offseason. It’s in his confidence and with his own inner peace.
“Someone's got to confront that and so if it's not one of the players, it's going to be a coach,” Tucker said. “Once you get the players doing that, especially your quarterback, now you're cooking with gas.”
In this world of college football, it’s survival of the fittest and the Big Ten has moved forward with ensuring its survival.
Keeping it plain and simple, it was a rough go for Michigan State’s cornerback group in 2021.
The Midseason Watch List will be released on Oct. 25, when voting will begin. The field will be narrowed down to the final 16 candidates on Nov. 8, and then dwindled down to three finalists who will be announced on Nov. 21.
The hope is the added depth to the room can stabilize the position a bit more while also allowing special personnel packages to be used in certain situations. Defending against the pass is one area the Spartans must improve.
Highlighted by Spartan basketball legend and NBA Champion Draymond Green, the class also includes Herb Adderley (football), Kathy DeBoer (volleyball and basketball), Joan Garety (golf), Laura (Heyboer) Heethuis (soccer), Greg Jones (football), Kalisha Keane (basketball), Karen Langeland (basketball/administration) and Bob Steele (track and field).
Michigan State’s defensive line was by no means a weakness of last year’s team. On the surface level, the line looks like it excelled both against the run and pressuring the quarterback. The Spartans led the Big Ten in sacks while also ranking 18th in the country in rushing yards allowed per game. If you ask MSU coaches though, it’s nothing worth celebrating.
If those who are stepping into new roles can do so seamlessly, then the offense could repeat last year’s historic production. But if injuries amount or the new roles do not work out, it may be a long season.
AAU accreditation is the baseline for a team looking to join the Big Ten, but one exception could be made.
This move would also coincide with the Big Ten attempting to negotiate a new TV deal.
“I always say, and you guys have heard me say this before, but I feel like the tight end is kind of the MVP because we ask them to do an awful lot,” Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson said in the spring.
The 2021 Michigan State football season was a magical one.