However, Gholston and his coaches admit he is off to a great start thus far. During Friday’s practice, in which head coach Mark Dantonio organized a 115-play “controlled” scrimmage between the offense and the defense, Gholston recorded four tackles, one tackle for a loss and a pass breakup.

Not too shabby for a player still recovering, Dantonio said after watching Gholston and the defense defeat the offense, 55-45, under a modified scoring system.

Coming off of a freshman season where he was used sparingly, the Detroit native is listed as a starter on the spring depth chart and plans on maintaining that spot. Only recording half a sack last year, Gholston said he intends on bumping that number much higher.

“That’s really a goal, I got to get after the quarterback,” Gholston said. “I got to have fun out there and since I feel like since the game is slowed down, I can not think as much and really just start doing and being athletic and playing with my instincts.”

Including the slower pace of the game, Gholston said he has realized many improvements he has made after playing as a true freshman last season.

He said he already feels more explosive, especially when coming out of a three-point stance and feels much better fine-tuning his pass-rushing moves, rather than having to learn them.
Defensive line coach Ted Gill said he sees the same.

“A year in our program, he’s stronger, he’s faster, he’s got more football intelligence,” Gill said. “He’s really done a good job working in the out-of-season to get himself better, and I’m excited where he is right now.”

Third-year quarterback
For junior quarterback Andrew Maxwell, next season likely will consist of watching games from the sidelines, holding the clipboard and continuing to learn the offense. For the third year ­— and barring any injury to senior quarterback Kirk Cousins — Maxwell will serve as the team’s backup, but a backup is not exactly what Dantonio views him as.

“This is his third year in the program and you can tell,” Dantonio said.

“He’s got a great arm, great awareness, he’s got full control of the offense and I really feel like he would start a lot of places.”

Cousins agreed and added that the team has complete confidence in Maxwell whenever he takes over.

“He’s got a bright future ahead of him, and I’m excited to see what he’s got come his last seasons here,” Cousins said.

Playing both ways
Redshirt freshman Tony Lippett isn’t listed as a starter on the depth chart. However, unlike any other players on the roster, you can find his name under both the offensive section and the defensive.

Lippett currently is listed as a third-string receiver and a second-string cornerback.

The Detroit native said if he had to choose he would play wide receiver.

Like most athletes, Lippett said he just wants to be on the field.

“There’s probably more opportunities at defensive back, so when I get over there I’m just going to try and work hard and do the best that I can do to compete and get on the field,” he said.
“So if that’s where I’m going to play this year, that’s where I’m going to be.”