“They’re pushing each other, and that’s what you want,” Staten said. “That’s what you need.”

Although the preseason depth chart MSU released listed Clark or senior Dan France as the starter at left tackle, it was Clark that began camp on Aug. 3 practicing with the first-team. He was supplanted by Conklin after a few practices as the two continue to battle for a spot on an otherwise veteran offensive line.

“The improvement that he’s made since the spring game has been tremendous,” Staten said of Conklin.

“He wasn’t with the ones when we opened camp, and we’re putting that policy out there that, hey, every day position-to-position, all 11 on the offense, you’ve got to come out there every day and show you deserve it.”

The tackle situation became more dire for MSU on July 30 when junior Skyler Burkland announced he would retire from football due to numerous injuries. Burkland would have been in the mix for the left tackle job after starting 14 games at tackle in his first two seasons.

Conklin, from Plainwell, Mich., where he played for his dad in high school, came to MSU as a preferred walk-on before earning a scholarship. The 6-foot-6, 326-pounder’s performance drew positive reviews in the spring from players and coaches alike.

Clark appeared to have a bright future after logging his first start against rival Michigan last year. He filled in admirably at left tackle for France, who was out with a concussion, before starting again the following week at Wisconsin.

With the emerging duel at left tackle, France has slid inside to right guard with seniors Blake Treadwell and Fou Fonoti at left guard and right tackle. Junior Travis Jackson continues to be the frontrunner at center after recovering from a broken leg five games into last season, but sophomore Jack Allen also is getting first-team reps in practice.

Staten said France’s transition moves him to a more natural position at guard, although he still works as Fonoti’s backup at right tackle. Redshirt freshman Kodi Kieler, who Staten called “a natural right tackle,” also will put some time in on the outside after playing center throughout the spring.

“One of our strong points is we have a lot of depth,” France said at media day on Monday. “We have anywhere from seven to nine guys that can start.”

Entering last season, head coach Mark Dantonio billed the offensive line as the strongest of his tenure, but that potential was derailed by injuries to starters France, Fonoti and Jackson. The inconsistent lineups at times in 2012 prevented the front line from forming the necessary chemistry and cohesiveness.

“We’re working some different sort of alignments in there,” Dantonio said.