It seems like everything is new again for the MSU football team. New coaches. A (sort of) new quarterback. And no position is seeing more of a complete overhaul than the receiving corps.
MSU's three main receivers from the past two seasons — Matt Trannon, Jerramy Scott and Kerry Reed — have exhausted their college eligibility. Senior wideout Terry Love and sophomore T.J. Williams are MSU's most reliable returnees, but Deon Curry, a 6-foot-1, 199-pound junior, also will look to fill the gap left by the departed seniors.
Trannon, Scott and Reed combined for 136 receptions, 1,632 yards and eight touchdowns in 2006.
Trannon holds the MSU record for career catches. Needless to say, there's a lot of production to replace.
Curry played in six games during the Spartans' 2006 campaign, but logged just one reception for seven yards.
Injuries to his right knee have slowed Curry during his MSU career.
He tore his MCL in high school, then tore his lateral meniscus while at MSU.
The latter injury required surgery.
Curry said he's happy to finally be in good health. The knee isn't swollen or stiff in any way.
"I'm actually getting my shot," Curry said. "I'm just trying to make the most out of the opportunity."
Following a path paved by Trannon, Curry is making a quick jump to the football team — he just wrapped up his first season with the basketball team. Spending the winter with Tom Izzo's crew helped him increase his agility and quickness. He's also lost some bulk.
"Last year I played at about 209, 210. I'm about 198 right now. I'm weighing less now than I did last year," he said.
Offensive coordinator Don Treadwell said Curry should be able to put his "basketball skills" to good use.
"Things like going for a rebound, grabbing a ball over your head in traffic — that's something that we can use him for on the football field," Treadwell said. "He's had some flashes."
Curry said one of his best qualities as a receiver has nothing to do with getting his hands on the ball.
"With my size, I think one of my best qualities is my blocking ability," Curry said. "With my size and my strength, I'm able to go in and block those safeties a little bit better."
That bodes well for him — the Spartans' new offense requires such skills.
"You've got to do a lot more blocking," Curry said. "It's multidimensional. It's not just a run game, not just a pass game. We spread it out and mix it up on the defense."
At any rate, Curry is pleased that significant playing time is finally within reach after years of just practicing.
"Everybody has their chance. They're putting me in more, and I'm getting more reps with the (first team), and I'm just trying to get the most out of it, to learn every position I can, so whatever they throw me at — at any position — I can go out and contribute."
