Dantonio said players such as sophomore safety Isaiah Lewis, junior defensive lineman Anthony Rashad White and sophomore wide receiver Bennie Fowler have been good and should help minimize the losses of key pieces from last season’s championship run.

“The thing that most excites me is that some of our guys who played last year such as Isaiah Lewis, Rashad White or guys who have played in and out last year … those guys are having a great spring,” Dantonio said. “You see our football team growing and getting more experienced.”

Lewis, who received time at safety last season and played in certain packages, showed flashes while appearing in all 13 games and is battling sophomore Jairus Jones for a starting safety position.

White recorded 17 tackles and one for loss on the defensive line last season and likely will see time along with senior Kevin Pickelman and junior Jerel Worthy on the defense this season. Fowler had 573 all-purpose yards and is a candidate for a breakout season this year.

As valuable as each of those players were last season, much more will be expected of them if the Spartans have thoughts of repeating as Big Ten champions.

Sophomores Denicos Allen and William Gholston are other players who figure to see significant increases in playing time this season and have been drawing positive reviews this spring. Dantonio said earlier this spring Allen was having solid practices, as he hopes to help offset the loss of departed seniors Greg Jones and Eric Gordon at linebacker. Meanwhile, Gholston had four tackles in April 8’s Jersey Scrimmage in trying to secure a defensive line position.

“Rashad White is having a great spring,” Dantonio said. “At the defensive end positions, we’ve got some guys. (Junior Tyler) Hoover and I think (sophomore) Denzel Drone is having a good spring. But obviously William Gholston is in the mix there, and he’s very solid.”

Offensive line update
Dantonio said sophomore offensive lineman Dan France has played well this spring and looks strong at the tackle position. France, who played on the defensive line in seven games last season, moved to the offense in the offseason and is competing with players such as senior Jared McGaha for playing time at the position.

Dantonio said McGaha, who had two starts last season, has been having a strong spring as well and that the depth on the offensive line is outstanding.

“Dan France has had an outstanding spring,” Dantonio said. “The thing that’s so positive about our offensive line is that we’ve got numbers. Even if we have some guys banged up and might be out for a day or so, we have numbers.”