Keith Nichol runs into the end zone for a touchdown in the third quarter of the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl. NIchol, who came to MSU as a quarterback, will see time at wide receiver and quarterback this spring.
—Fifteen years ago, Kordell Stewart made waves with his athleticism as a multiple-weapon threat with the NFL’s Pittsburgh Steelers.
On Tuesday, the opening day for MSU football spring practice, head coach Mark Dantonio seemed convinced the Spartans have found their own “Slash.”
Keith Nichol — the former Elite 11 quarterback turned transfer turned backup — officially will make the move to wide receiver, with his name listed as the starting X-receiver on MSU’s first spring depth chart.
Don’t, however, think that means his quarterback career is over, because Nichol also is listed as the No. 2 quarterback alongside redshirt freshman Andrew Maxwell.
“He’ll sort of be a slash-type player, probably will play at wide receiver 70, 80 percent of the time and also take reps at quarterback too, because I still do think there’s a place for him at that position,” Dantonio said.
“He’s an exciting player and he, again, brings experience at that position.”
The move is nothing new for Nichol, who lined up at wide receiver in the 2010 Valero Alamo Bowl.
In San Antonio, Nichol finished with two receptions for 11 yards, but it was what Nichol did in the weeks leading up to the bowl that truly impressed the MSU coaching staff.
Every day during bowl preparation, Dantonio said offensive coordinator Don Treadwell would rave about Nichol’s progress.
Throw in Nichol’s measurables — 6-foot-2, 220 pounds — and his drill numbers — Dantonio said Nichol runs a 3.97 second shuttle, has a 10-foot, 6-inch long jump and 38-inch vertical jump — and it’s easy to understand why the staff holds Nichol in such high esteem.
Dantonio also said the potential of Maxwell — who the head coach said has gained 15 pounds of muscle — has played a role in allowing the Spartans to mold Nichol into a versatile offensive threat.
When asked if it’s important for Maxwell to firmly take over the backup quarterback slot so Nichol can solely concentrate on wide receiver, Dantonio said he’s only worried about one thing: Getting Nichol the ball.
“I would prefer Keith to have the ball in his hands, so however it gets there is the important thing,” Dantonio said.
Their time has come
For the past three seasons, Dantonio and his staff have played with offensive linemen brought in by the previous regime.
Now, with players from his first partial recruiting class in 2007 as seniors and redshirt juniors, Dantonio is expecting some of his guys to become starters.
Dantonio mentioned four linemen — sophomore guards Chris McDonald and Zach Hueter and redshirt freshman tackles David Barrent and Henry Conway — who have the opportunity to make a name for themselves this spring.
“We’ve been prospering with the past staff’s offensive line. … Three years in, it’s now time for some of these guys to start growing,” Dantonio said.
“They’ll have opportunities this spring to get involved at one point or another, and it’s their time to make a move.”
Spring objectives
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Aside from the offensive line, Dantonio listed five other areas he wants focus on during the 15 spring practices: Defensive line, kicker, running the football more consistently, red zone defense and developing younger players.
Dantonio said among the younger players who stood out in winter workouts were Maxwell, wide receiver Bennie Fowler, defensive end Denzel Drone, defensive end Corey Freeman, safety Jairus Jones, cornerback Dana Dixon, center Nate Klatt and linebacker Denicos Allen, all of whom are redshirt freshmen or sophomores.
