It’s been less than a week since MSU released its 2014 preseason depth chart, but an injury could impact what was previously a stable defensive line.
MSU head coach Mark Dantonio revealed during the opening day of preseason football camp on Saturday junior defensive lineman Damon Knox had surgery for an undisclosed injury and could potentially miss the opening game against Jacksonville State on Aug. 29.
“Damon Knox had some surgery, he’ll be out a little bit of time,” Dantonio said. “It is what it is, so we have to deal with it.”
Knox, who started two games last season, is a projected starter next to junior defensive lineman Joel Heath.
With Knox currently out of the lineup, there’s room for another member of the defensive line to fill the void. Dantonio called the defensive line, which includes several young freshmen, his most talented group.
“Our defensive line guys are going to have an opportunity,” Dantonio said. “We graduated two, we lost (Mark Scarpinato) as well to early graduation. It’s our most talented group. We know one thing about our shorts practice, you see it’s our most talented group, top to bottom, and it’s our deepest group, top to bottom.”
Dantonio expressed intrigue toward his younger defensive linemen, including coveted recruits Malik McDowell and Enoch Smith Jr. Though the odds of one of them cracking the 2014 rotation could be closer to the slim side, the injury to Knox only improves their odds.
“Malik McDowell (is) a very quick, athletic (guy), Enoch Smith, very athletic,” Dantonio said. “All of those defensive lineman are really athletic guys. Greg Evans as well as David Beedle, as well as (Montez) Sweat and (Robert Bowers) all show great athletic ability.
“I’m looking at the freshmen to see ‘can they catch up?’” Dantonio said. There’s a lot going through their minds right now and there’s a lot going through their legs. Going to take a special guy but I’m impressed with those guys.”
Continuing a tradition
Dantonio traditionally has called his former South Carolina position coach Dale Evans on the first day of preseason camp. Evans passed away at the age of 77 on May 7, but Dantonio continued the tradition by placing a call to Evans’ wife, Joanne.
“I had (to) call coach Evans’ wife Joanne, talked to her yesterday,” Dantonio said. “Tough things, first fall for her without coach Evans for her. We talked yesterday and we’ll contin ue to do it.”
