MSU wide receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. will look to help fill the huge void in production left at the wide receiver position after the departures of Aaron Burbridge and Macgarrett Kings Jr.
Now listed as the No. 1 slot receiver on the Spartans' depth chart, the redshirt-freshman has yet to play an in-game snap, but he has received high praise from head coach Mark Dantonio and wide receivers coach Terrence Samuel.
Burbridge's 1,258 receiving yards and Kings' 519 receiving yards last season made-up 54 percent of the team's total receiving yards last season. This gap leaves the young wide receiving crew with big shoes to fill.
With high expectations of R.J. Shelton, who gathered 503 receiving yards last season, Stewart said he hopes to be able to make the most of his new found opportunities.
“I’m very grateful,” Stewart said. “It feels good, getting a chance to succeed.”
Despite the losses at the position, Stewart said he is confident that the younger receivers will step up and be successful.
The offense itself is ever-changing. The exit of Connor Cook leaves the quarterback spot vacant and the offensive line will undergo a complete renovation. With the offensive puzzle-pieces starting to align, Stewart sees a seamless transition between quarterbacks and wide receivers.
“Every quarterback we have now is pretty good, everyone is on p’s and q’s,” Stewart said. “When one quarterback is out and another comes in, it’s the same motion, no step is lost.”
Samuel said he believes it has to do with the quarterbacks and receivers are going above and beyond to get a connection, even outside of practice.
“There are times when they are out throwing on Saturdays without us and that is great for the chemistry,” Samuel said. “We are nowhere near where we need to be, but as far as the chemistry component, I am very happy at where the guys are.”
Samuel will have to work his magic with the receivers this spring. During his six seasons as the Spartans’ wide receiver coach, he has coached three of seven 1,000 yard receivers in MSU's football history — Burbridge, Tony Lippett and B.J. Cunningham.
Stewart and coach Samuel do share a special bond — both attended Nimitz High School in Houston, Texas. Although Stewart might not be the main man on offense, Samuel said Stewart has made great strides this year.
“When he gets the ball, he is different,” Samuel said. “He runs aggressive with the ball ... you either have that or you don’t.”
Dantonio said Stewart has looked “very, very good.” Not only will you be able to see him in the slot, but Stewart has been gaining experience as a punt returner in practice, a job currently held by Shelton.
Stewart's biggest issue so far has been learning the playbook, he said. Samuel’s and Dantonio’s patience however, have instilled Stewart with confidence moving forward.
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