The departures of Clark, Allen and Conklin left holes to fill and roles to step into. Allen, a captain, a two time All-American and arguably one of the best centers to play for MSU in a long time was glue of the offensive line.

“He was the guy making all the calls,” Kieler said. “Jack Allen was really the staple that held everything together. If someone was confused with something, they went right to Jack Allen to find help, so I think that’s going to be the biggest thing missing this year.”

After a combined 118 starts between Allen, Clark and Conklin, the line finds itself practically back at square one with some unproven talent.

“You’re sort of starting from scratch with your young players,” head coach Mark Dantonio said of the offensive line.

The young guys Dantonio singled out for praise after the included sophomore Cole Chewins, redshirt-freshman Tyler Higby, and Noah Listermann.

“You really don’t know until you watch the film, but Cole Chewins moves well, Tyler Higby moves well, Listermann looks like he’s improved as a football player,” Dantonio said.

But the young line won’t be left out to wade their way through the muck, because a group of juniors and seniors will have their chance to fully prove themselves as well.

The Spartans returning with experience and meaningful minutes — Dennis Finley, Brian Allen, Brandon Clemons and Kieler — will have to carry on the stout play of Conklin, Clark and Jack Allen, but the way this offensive line works might just surprise some people.

"I was a little bit surprised,” Brian Allen said of the offensive line hitting for the first time. “Everyone is down on the O-Line not really knowing what to expect, but our supposedly below average O-Line was moving the ball on supposedly a pretty good defense.”

Finley is coming back from a season-ending injury he sustained against Purdue and said his leg wasn't fully healed, but he intended to step in right away even if he was unsure about where he would be playing on the line.

“I’ll say anything can happen,” Finley said. “Conklin, Donavon Clark and Jack Allen — they definitely paved the way for us and taught us a lot, and I’m pretty much going to take everything they gave us and use it on the field, give all my effort and hopefully earn a starting spot.”

Clemons, a sixth-year senior guard, was plagued by injury to begin his career, but has amassed more and more snaps through the years and is looking to make his mark just as the guys in front of him did.

“This year I’m expected to start and I think, for me, I just need to assert myself as a leader and make sure I keep breaking down film, learn formations, just learn everything about the game as much as I can,” Clemons said.

Kieler, who sustained multiple injuries last year, said he was rehabilitating fine and felt good, but was unsure about playing in the spring game. He is expected to battle Brian Allen for a starting center spot.

Other returners looking to step into pivotal roles along the line include Benny McGowan, Miguel Machado and David Beedle.

Though the line will be new, the goals remain the same old goals the Spartans have had since Dantonio took over — compete for a title one step at a time.

“Our goal right now is just to establish who we are as an offensive line,” Clemons said. “Right now in practice it's about getting better every single day.”