Junior tight end Matt Dotson scores on a touchdown pass against Western Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Broncos, 51-17, on Sept. 7, 2019 at Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State senior tight end Matt Seybert doesn't necessarily have a "money" play that he likes to run. But if there was one that comes to mind, it would be the play when he scored his first-career touchdown in the Spartans' 31-10 win over Northwestern.
"I would consider that a money play, that’s a hard one to guard,” Seybert said after Tuesday's practice.
Then it would probably be the stick-and-nod play against Indiana that gave him his third touchdown in two games.
“Not gonna lie, that was a pretty good route," Seybert joked. "That was fun, that was smooth. Brian put it in a perfect place. It was perfect. That was fun, clutch situation in the game, and my adrenaline was rolling after that one for sure.”
Seybert's production this season, combined with the slowly emerging redshirt freshman Trenton Gillison, as well as veteran Matt Dotson, have formed a "money" position for Michigan State's offense that had been dead broke over the past few seasons.
Through six games, the trio have combined for 28 catches, for 312 yards and four touchdowns — three from Seybert and one from Matt Dotson.
Last season, Dotson and former Spartan Matt Sokol combined for 22 catches for 259 yards and two scores. And in 2017, Sokol, Dotson and Noah Davis combined for 25 catches for 270 yards and one touchdown.
Seybert, Gillison and Dotson have surpassed both of those year's totals, in every category, through half of a season.
"Yeah, I think our tight ends are playing pretty well," Mark Dantonio said during his Tuesday press conference. "You've seen Seybert make some plays and (Trenton) Gillison make some plays, you're seeing (Matt) Dotson make some plays and he's involved a lot, too, so all three of those guys are involved."
Now, in his third season as MSU's full-time starting quarterback, Brian Lewerke finally has a tight end threat on the field.
“They’ve stepped up and it's become more of a part of my game, than I have in the past couple years," Lewerke said . "I think its just a testament to them. It'’s not like I was saying ‘I’m not going to throw to tight ends’ the past couple of years. These guys just have been getting open."
Each of Dotson, Seybert and Gillison have emerged in different parts of the year, making their impact.
Dotson was the starter at tight end to begin the season and scored his lone touchdown this year against Western Michigan in week two. Seybert had played sparingly during non-conference play, making two catches for 50 yards against Arizona State, then broke out in MSU's game against Northwestern when Dotson dressed but did not play due to an injury. Seybert caught two touchdowns that game and has increased his role in MSU's offense since.
After redshirting through his first college season, Gillison made his first-career catch in MSU's 40-31 win over Indiana. Then, he caught three passes for 34 yards in his first big showing since coming to East Lansing.
"Trent is a young player," Dantonio said. "He's coming. He caught the ball very well last week. Said all along, he's an athletic guy and he can catch the football. He shows toughness and he's active. He needs game experience like a lot of young players and I think he gets better and better.”
Gillison said his growth since arriving on campus his allowed him to get more opportunities on the field this season.
“Just time being here. Just learning under the criteria with coach (Brad) Salem and what Coach (Dantonio) build and what they want out of us, and everything," Gillison said. "The tight end group in general, us all being in there together, us working day in and day out, especially during the summer, we actually were able to get closer. We have a real-life brotherhood. We’re family in there. If I'm doing good, we’re all doing good. If Seybert is eating, Dotson is eating, doesn’t matter who is in, we’ll take what we can get.”
Gillison, who definitely looks every bit the part of a tight end according to Lewerke, uses his 6-foot-4, 249-pound frame to his advantage against defenders. While Seybert has done a better job of recognizing "soft spots" in defensive schemes to create open areas for himself in the passing game.
Dotson's role has decreased since Seybert's breakout game against Northwestern, but he still provides a veteran presence in MSU's tight end room.
And because of those three guys, the position has quickly become more of a strength than a liability for a Spartan offense that desperately needed it.
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“We believe that success at the tight end position is vital to our offense because it adds a whole other threat that defenses have to worry about," Seybert said. "You know, the run game and the passing game. So, I think we have really taken pride in becoming someone who you can rely on. Everyone in the tight ends position room, we’ve all come together. and put in a lot of work”
