“I think every year and every time we step on the field we continue to grow,” Lewerke said. 

The starting unit on offense consists of veterans, and mostly juniors and seniors who all started last season in seven games or more.

Here is a glance at the Spartan offense to kick-off the 2018 season and home opener against Utah State on Friday. 

Wide Receivers

Starters: senior Felton Davis III, junior Darrell Stewart, sophomore Cody White and senior LJ Scott 

Bench: sophomore Cam Chambers, redshirt freshman C.J. Hayes, sophomore Laress Nelson, senior Brandon Sowards, freshman Jalen Nailor, sophomore Connor Heyward, redshirt freshman Weston Bridges, freshman La’Darius Jefferson and freshman Elijah Collins 

Last season, Davis ranked tied for third in the Big Ten with a career-high of 55 receptions, 776 receiving yards and nine touchdown catches. 

During practice on Tuesday, Aug. 28, he mentioned that it is still a team effort and the Michigan State is here to stay.

“Every year we come in with a new mindset and a new mantra and that’s to build off something else,” Davis said. “Last year, we were just trying to replant our feet on the ground and this year we came up with the mantra: heave, and that’s all of us pulling that one accord.” 

Tackle 

Starters: junior Cole Chewins, sophomore Luke Campbell and sophomore Jordan Reid 

Bench: sophomore AJ Arcuri and redshirt freshman Mustafa Khaleefah

Out of the three, Chewins started in 13 games last fall, which is the most of the Spartans’ tackle with Campbell following suit with 12 games and Reid with one lone game in the green and white uniform.

Campbell tied for third on the line with 37.5 knockdowns last season, while Chewins recorded 50.5 knockdowns.

Dantonio described Campbell as a player who can go either way in his position and can be usual to the team.

“We have experience at the offensive line and we have guys who can play,” Dantonio said. “Luke can play offensive guard. He can play left tackle, he can play right tackle, so there is a variety of places he can play.” 

Guard

Starter: senior David Beedle and sophomore Kevin Jarvis

Bench: redshirt freshman Matt Carrick, sophomore Matt Allen and freshman Jacob Isaia

Beedle allowed zero sacks which led among his Spartan teammates and also led the line with 36.5 knockdowns.

Last season, Jarvis saw action on the field for all 13 games last season as a true freshman, including 10 consecutive starts. During the Holiday Bowl against Washington State, he recorded a season high of 5.5 knockdowns while playing in 73 snaps. 

Center

Starter: junior Tyler Higby 

Bench: sophomore Matt Allen

During the spring game and practices, the Spartans were unsure of who would get the nod at center after losing veteran Brian Allen.  

The team gave Higby the spot after starting seven games last season playing at left guard. He ranked fourth among the offensive line last season in snaps played with 743 snaps. 

“I think just the experience we have,” Higby said. “And the chemistry - and I know a lot of people have talked about it - but the chemistry is something I have not experienced on the team before and it’s amazing.” 

He is not worried on the chemistry that Lewerke will bring this season. 

“Brian knows where [the wide receivers] are going to be,” Higby said. “I think things are starting to click at the right time so it's fun to see.” 

Tight End 

Starter: senior Matt Sokol

Bench: senior Chase Gianacakos and sophomore Matt Dotson 

The fifth-year senior earned a career-high of 21 receptions for 222 yards last season with one of them as a touchdown, which lead among the Michigan State tight ends. 

11 of his 21 catches alone either resulted in touchdowns or a first down during the team’s 10-3 season last fall, and had one catch for 12 yards during the Holiday Bowl.

Quarterbacks 

Starters: junior Brian Lewerke 

Bench: redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi and freshman Theo Day 

The Holiday Bowl MVP ranked third in the Big Ten and 35th in the FBS in total offense. He earned an average of 257.8 yards per game with an rushing average of 43 yards per game, which he ranked as second in the Big Ten among quarterbacks behind Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett. 

Last season was the first full season he played in after suffering an injury during his freshman year. Dantonio knows if he can continue to stay healthy he can continue to be successful for the team further down the road.

Although Lombardi and Day might not see action, he still continues to give them advice on his experience and that their game will improve with the more action they see.

As the games continue, he knows his game will improve. 

“I think my growth from the beginning of last season to the end was night and day,” Lewerke said. “I think it’s just going to keep doing that exact same thing this season and I think that is the same thing for everyone too.” 

Fullback

Starter: senior Collin Lucas 

Bench: senior Ben Line 

Lucas played in all 13 games and started at fullback in five of those games and now enters his fifth season with the team. He was named the key-blocker in the 40-7 against Rutgers on Nov. 25.

Line walked-on the Spartan offense last season after transferring from Robert Morris. During his three seasons there, he played in 27 games in his career and earned a pass to win in the 2015 season against East Tennessee State.

As the team continues to practice for Friday’s opener, this is still a new start for the team of veterans. 

“There is a reason that I put my name and I have everybody put their name on their helmets when we go to camp,” Dantonio said. “We’re all starting over and there are no guarantees and we need to play.”