Hometown: New Concord, Ohio

Career stats: 244 punts, 41.8-yard average, long of 69 yards

Career highlights: Ray Guy Award candidate; second-team All-Big Ten as a sophomore; 3-for-3 passing on fake plays, including the game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass to senior tight end Charlie Gantt in overtime vs. Notre Dame on Sept. 18.

Nick Bendzuck

Position: Fullback

Hometown: Strongsville, Ohio

Career stats: Appeared in 20 games, including nine starts in 2010

Career highlights: Awarded a scholarship his senior year; earned his first letter as a junior; named Scout Team Special Teams Player of the Week five times (twice in 2007 and 2009, once in 2008).

Josh Bodell

Position: Cornerback

Hometown: Frankfort, Mich.

Career highlights: Walk-on has added depth to the team.

J’Michael Deane

Position: Offensive Tackle

Hometown: Toronto, Ontario

Career stats: Appeared in 14 career games with 11 starts, 10 coming in 2010

Career highlights: Named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week vs. Minnesota as a freshman before moving to offensive tackle; named Scout Team Offensive Player of the week vs. Northwestern as a sophomore; named Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Western Michigan this season.

Mark Dell

Position: Wide receiver

Hometown: Farmington Hills, Mich.

Career stats: 123 catches, 2,001 yards, 10 touchdowns

Career highlights: Career-high nine catches and 202 receiving yards vs. California as a sophomore; tied career high with nine catches vs. Northwestern this season, also had 109 yards and career-high two touchdowns in that game.

Charlie Gantt

Position: Tight end

Hometown: Farmington Hills, Mich.

Career stats: 56 catches, 845 yards, eight touchdowns

Career highlights: Started 36 consecutive games; caught game-winning 29-yard touchdown pass in overtime vs. Notre Dame; Named an honorable Mention All-Big Ten selection as a sophomore and junior.

Eric Gordon

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Traverse City, Mich.

Career stats: 46 starts, 309 tackles, 28.5 tackles for loss

Career highlights: Had a blocked field goal in last season’s 40-37 win against Purdue; had nine tackles and a forced fumble against Iowa; had a career-high 14 tackles and two for loss last season against Northwestern.

Marcus Hyde

Position: Safety

Hometown: Fostoria, Ohio

Career stats: 18 starts, 150 tackles

Career highlights: Had 11 tackles, a pass break-up and a forced fumble against Notre Dame; had 10 tackles and an interception against Illinois.

Jesse Johnson

Position: Safety

Hometown: Durand, Mich.

Career stats: Appeared in 33 games

Career highlights: Was named Special Teams Player of the Week after blocking a punt against Montana State last season; named Scout Team Defensive Player of the Week against Florida Atlantic in 2008; named Special Team Player of the Week against Iowa in 2007.

Greg Jones

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Cincinnati

Career stats: Has 446 tackles, 16.5 sacks

Career highlights: Named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year by the media last season; semifinalist for the Lombardi Award; had eight tackles and three tackles for loss against Wisconsin; had four tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble against Northern Colorado; had 14 tackles and a pass break-up against Illinois.

Jon Misch

Position: Linebacker

Hometown: Waterford, Mich.

Career stats: Appeared in 42 games and has 76 tackles

Career highlights: Had six and a half tackles for loss against Minnesota; had nine tackles against UAB in 2007.

Colin Neely

Position: Defensive end

Hometown: Bethlehem, Pa.

Career stats: Appeared in 36 career games and has 67 tackles and 17.5 tackles for loss.

Career highlights: Had three tackles for loss and five total tackles against Florida Atlantic; had three tackles, a forced fumble and a pass break-up against Northern Colorado.

Josh Rouse

Position: Fullback

Hometown: Newtown, Conn.

Career stats: Three catches, 24 yards, one touchdown

Career highlights: Appeared in 35 career games; first career catch was a 7-yard touchdown vs. U-M in 2008.

Chris L. Rucker

Position: Cornerback

Hometown: Warren, Ohio

Career stats: 31 career starts, 176 tackles, 21 passes defended

Career highlights: His interception in overtime helped MSU defeat U-M in 2009; has intercepted a pass against U-M each of the past three seasons.

Alex Shackleton

Position: Snapper

Hometown: Breckenridge, Colo.

Career stats: Started all 49 games last three-plus seasons

Career highlights: Named MSU Special Teams Player of the week twice (2008, 2009); awarded a scholarship prior to sophomore season.

John Stipek

Position: Center

Hometown: Macomb Township, Mich.

Career stats: Started 13 games

Career highlights: Named Spartan Offensive Lineman of the Week vs. Northern Colorado; selected Scout Team Offensive Player of the Week vs. Wisconsin as a sophomore; named starter for 2010 season.

D.J. Young

Position: Offensive Tackle

Hometown: Lansing

Career stats (at MSU): Started the last 21 consecutive games

Career highlights: Named Spartan Offensive Co-Lineman of the Week vs. Northwestern and vs. Wisconsin; first career start vs. Notre Dame last season.