Then-redshirt freshman defensive tackle Jerel Worthy and the rest of the Spartan football team raise their helmets and cheer toward the crowd after defeating Montana State at Spartan Stadium on Sept. 5, 2009.
The alignment of MSU’s defensive line remains uncertain as seven players are listed as possibilities to start for Saturday’s game against Western Michigan.
The depth chart released this week has more than one possible starter at three of the four defensive line positions, with sophomore defensive tackle Jerel Worthy being the only player listed as the lone starter at his position.
Sophomore Tyler Hoover and redshirt freshman Denzel Drone both are listed as possible starters at the rush end position.
Senior Colin Neely and junior Todd Anderson are listed at No. 1 at defensive end.
Junior Kevin Pickelman and sophomore Blake Treadwell both could start at the nose tackle position.
With several possible combinations of players, head coach Mark Dantonio said he hopes these players will step into their roles and become playmakers.
“We have some guys back (on the defensive line),” Dantonio said. “We do have depth there. Whether we have a guy there that’s like an Ervin Baldwin, we’ll find out.”
Baldwin was a junior college transfer who started every game for MSU in the 2006 and 2007 seasons.
Worthy and Neely missed part of spring practices with injuries, which opened the door for younger players such as Drone to show off their skills.
The departures of last year’s starters Trevor Anderson and Oren Wilson will put more pressure on the returning players, but MSU should be excited about the return of several players from a unit that ranked second in the Big Ten with 23 sacks.
“I think (depth) will be great,” Worthy said. “It’ll allow me and the other starters to be fresh on the field. Creating that depth will allow us to stay fresh and be able to make plays.”
Other players listed on the depth chart include freshman William Gholston, who is the third player at rush end.
Gholston moved from linebacker to defensive end during fall camp and has been adjusting well, according to his teammates.
“He does things at defensive end that other guys can’t do,” Worthy said. “As long as he stays humble and wants to listen, he’ll be a great player for us.”
Injury update
Dantonio said Tuesday that Treadwell is suffering from a lower body injury and might not play Saturday, which means Pickelman likely would start at nose tackle if Treadwell doesn’t play.
Dantonio also said sophomore running back Larry Caper, who is wearing a cast after injuring his arm, will be ready for Saturday, although he might be affected by the cast.
“I’m sure it’ll bother him a little bit,” Dantonio said. “We’ll see where he’s at when he gets to the game and does the things he has to do. We’re prepared to deal with it if we have to, but at this point in time, he’s practicing.”
Campbell’s return
Former MSU cornerback Amp Campbell will make a return to Spartan Stadium on Saturday as the cornerbacks coach for Western Michigan.
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As a member of the Spartans from 1994-99, Campbell broke two vertebrates in his neck during a game against Oregon in 1998, but returned to football the following year and had a fumble recovery for a touchdown in his first game, which also was against the Ducks.
Campbell will celebrate his 35th birthday on Saturday and will be remembered by Spartan faithful as a heartwarming success story, Dantonio said.
“He will always be a Spartan,” he said. “I wish him the best on his birthday, but not too good.”
