As a first-year player on an offensive line plagued with injuries last year, Brain Ottney felt the growing pains of the Big Ten in more ways than one.

Thrown into the starting center position after two games, while recovering from a torn ligament in his left leg, Ottney said contributing on the field was a challenge due to his limited athleticism.

“I was playing with one leg, but have really worked hard to get back to 100 percent now,” said Ottney, who missed all of last year’s preseason camp and much of September. “I’m doing things now in practice that I couldn’t have dreamed of doing last fall. Our whole offensive line now has a year’s worth of experience and it should prove to be valuable this year.”

Now healthy for the first time in his college career and a projected starter after faring well in MSU’s 15 spring practices, the 6-foot-6, 306-pound Ottney will be expected to lead a line striving to improve from last year’s effort.

The group gave up 43 quarterback sacks to its opponents for 277 yards.

Ten offensive linemen return from last year, along with an incoming recruiting class that includes German Football League all-star Peter Heyer.

Ottney said he’s confident this year’s line can become a successful group, because it was counted on last year to replace many injured players. He added that many of the freshmen have a chance to see action in games.

“Having so many guys play different positions last year wasn’t a disadvantage because that will help us with our depth this season,” Ottney said. “We have some solid linemen returning that can contribute, as well as some promising incoming freshmen, like Peter.”

The Spartans lose starters Shaun Mason, Dave Sucura, Matt Bonito and Siitupe Peko to graduation this year.

MSU head coach Bobby Williams, who expects Ottney to emerge as a team leader, said it will be important to find consistency within the offensive line because there are so many young players replacing experienced veterans.

“I think depth is real critical because when you look at our depth, we only have a few guys with game experience and most of those guys are on the first team,” Williams said. “When you look at the second unit, those guys don’t have much game experience either.”

After taking a beating at times last season, but ending the year with a team-high 240 carries, junior running back T.J. Duckett said he noticed an increased amount of focus in Ottney on the field.

“Brian is a lot more confident now, he’s making more plays and has really found a way to make big plays,” Duckett said. “The whole line looks a lot more confident. If you look at the offensive unit now, it looks like we have been together for a couple of years, things are that much better as far as communication and execution.”