We have reached the first week of the college football season and several programs have released a depth chart for their squads. Unfortunately, Michigan State is one of those events that hasn't given us a formal pecking order, and we're anticipating the start for tonight's football season opener against Northwestern. As Mel Tucker isn't sharing the Spartans' depth chart versus the Wildcats, I'll give you my predictions for Michigan State to two-depth this game.
Quarterback
Starter: Anthony Russo (Graduate Senior)
Backup: Peyton Thorne (redshirt sophomore)
It has been told that a decision has been taken on who will be the starting quarterback, but this information will not be made public before the opener. There's no good reason for Tucker to tip his hand, and he won't, so Northwestern will have to digest more film and make up for Russo or Thorne.
Based on last season's offensive plans and the type of quarterback MSU has shown interest in recruiting, I believe the staff will go with Rousseau as he has more arm strength and can push the ball into the field . Russo is also the most experienced quarterback, with nearly 900 career passing attempts in 27 career games at Temple University. He is one with little turnover and his accuracy hasn't always been his point of strength, but the staff targeted him early in the transfer portal and got a commitment from him before the 2020 college football season ended.
With that said, Thorne has already played the game within the system and has a long relationship with wide receivers – most notably his high school teammate Jaden Reed. Thorne finished the season as a starter, and the best we could get from the spring game was looking to be a first team quarterback.
There's a real possibility that we'll see both quarterbacks, especially if the game isn't in question one way or another. If Noah Kim or any of Hemp Fay sees the area then things have gone either very good or very bad.
Running Back
Starter: Kenneth Walker III (Jr.)
Backup: Elijah Collins (Redshirt Jr.)
Hype has surrounded Walker since his transfer from Wake Forest. Walker has quickness and power, and the ability to find the end zone—something Michigan State is trailing behind what it failed to do last season. I'd be surprised if he wasn't a starter and didn't get most of the carry.
There have been some positive reports about Elijah Collins returning to form in 2019, when he ran for nearly 1,000 yards. Collins looks to be in his best shape and is looking forward to putting 2020 behind him.
Tucker has publicly stated that the Spartans have four or five running backs who can contribute now. Odds are good Harold Joiner III will see some action on the running back and H-Back versus the Wildcats. Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson used some two back-sets in Colorado, with Joiner sized at 6-foot-4 and 215 pounds, the best in such a formation. Jordan Simmons should also see some work, as he delivers a change of pace with perhaps the fastest of the four.
Wide receivers
Beginnings: Jayden Reid (Redshirt Jr.), Jalen Nailor (Redshirt Jr. - Team Captain This Week), Trey Mosley (Redshirt Sophomore)
Backup: Montorrey Foster (sophomore), Terry Lockett (sophomore), Ian Stewart 9redshirt freshman), Keon Coleman (freshman), Christian Fitzpatrick (redshirt freshman)
Both Reid and Naylor finished in the top-20 in the Big Ten in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns. Mosley has had a quiet 2020 season largely due to injury, although when he is on the field, he proves to be a contributor.
Reserve wide receiver rotation is rather vague, I imagine Foster and Lockett would be Reed and Nailer's replacements. Foster and Lockett are similar because they were both in the 2020 class, each had at least one Division I offer for basketball, and they saw less time last season. It makes sense that a big-bodied wide receiver would be mounted behind Mosley, with Ian Stewart, Christian Fitzpatrick and Keon Coleman all looking for opportunities. I'll throw a dart and say Stewart gets the first chance. Under normal circumstances, Ricky White would have been mentioned in the depth chart, however, he has announced that he will not play this week due to personal reasons.
Tight end
Starter: Tyler Hunt (Redshirt Sr.)
Backup: Trenton Gillison (Redshirt Jr.)
Hunt continues his unlikely career as the walk-on punter becomes the tight end and holds a slight lead as a starter. Gillison is a former four-star recruit who has yet to realize many of the expected production. Expect to see play time from both guys. Conor Hayward, who was recently replaced at the tight end, will likely appear as a tight end and H-back for his catching and blocking abilities.
Malik Carr had off-season surgery on his leg, I wouldn't expect to see him or true freshman Kameron Allen in sports action any more this week.
Left tackle
Starter: Jarrett Horst (Senior)
Backup: Dan VanOpstel (Redshirt Jr.)
Horst was prioritized by the staff in the transfer portal, so he is locked on one of the tackle positions. If Horst is replaced, AJ Arcuri will be first in line for Snaps. This may come as a bit of a surprise, but if for some reason the staff doesn't want to replace Arcuri with the right tackle, look to Dan van Opstel off the bench.
Left guard
Starter: JD Duplan (Jr.)
Backup: Blake Buter (Redshirt Sr.)
Duplan has made 10 starts over the past two years, cementing him as a starter in the left guard.
In 2018, 2019 and 2020, Buator has launched several games. That said, he is battling injuries and is in close competition with other players like former walk-on James Ohomba.
Center
Starter: Matt Allen (Graduate Senior)
Backup: Nick Samak (Jr.)
For the third season in a row, Allen and Samak will be the top two choices at the centre. Allen was invited back for his sixth year at Michigan State, and it's likely he'll get his first opportunity to start. Allen and Samak both have at least 10 starts in the center, so although it is unclear who the starter is, MSU will play a veteran in the middle of the line.
Right guard
Starter: Kevin Jarvis (Redshirt Sr.)
Backup: Matt Carrick (Redshirt Sr.)
Jarvis considered a high school prospect as a guard and initially played there to start his career. Jarvis was the starter in the right tackle last season, but he will return to his natural position. Carrick has 18 starts on the right guard and there will be time to see in the substitution and probably the left guard as well.
Right tackle
Starter: AJ Arcuri (Graduate Senior)
Backup: Luke Campbell (Graduate Senior)
AJ Arcuri is going to turn the edges from the opening left tackle to the right tackle. In the event Arcuri needs to be replaced (he's endured multiple injuries at MSU, so that's a real possibility), I'd go with a mild surprise, but the familiar face of Luke Campbell before the bench. However, it is more likely that Jarvis will be pushed over the edge with the right tackle as he was given the task earlier.
Defensive tackles
Beginnings: Jalen Hunt (Redshirt sophomore) and Dashaun Mallory (Redshirt Jr.)
Backup: Jacob Slade (Redshirt Jr., likely out for the game), Simeon Barrow (Redshirt freshman), Maverick Hansen (Redshirt sophomore)
Jalen Hunt is an explosive inner player that we've seen some glimpses of. The excitement that he could be MSU's next defensive bout wreaks havoc.
Several before and after photos were released in the off-season showing the physical changes in the players following the new workout and diet regime implemented across the team. No player had a body change more dramatic than Dashaun Mallory, who was noticeably leaner and more powerful. Mallory is likely to step in as a starter next to Hunt, as Jacob Slade is currently battling a hand injury. I would list Slade as a backup, but he may or may not start playing - we have no definite information about his position and Mel Tucker seems to like it.
Simeon Barrow is an interesting player who garnered a lot of attention during the Spring game. He hasn't even gotten into a game yet and has new blood to keep track of going forward. Maverick Hansen has a large body similar in stature to Slade. If Slade is unavailable, I expect Hansen to be part of the rotation.
Defensive ends
Beginners: Drew Beasley (graduating senior this week - team captain) and Jacob Panasiuk (redshirt senior)
Backup: Drew Jordan (Graduate Senior), Michael Fletcher (Redshirt Sophomore), Jack Camper (Redshirt Sr.), Etienne "Tank" Brown (Redshirt Freshman)
The defensive end position may have the best mix of experience, production, and talent for any position group. Beasley, Panasik, Jordan and Camper have all played at least 25 games and all started as many games. Beasley made an honorable mention to the All-Big Ten last season and was named captain of the team for the season's opener. Panasiuk has struggled with multiple injuries, and was then affected by COVID-19 last season, with hopes he can come back stronger in his final year of eligibility. The Spartans brought in about 20 transfers, one of the more skilled players being Drew Jordan. He was a starter at Duke and delivers a level or so of credibility on the edge.
Jack Camper hasn't been discussed much with the influx of talent at the defensive end. The upperclassman offers good shape and capable play on the spot. Michael Fletcher presents a mix of size and athleticism coaches, and last year saw him grow by the minute as the season progressed. This is a crowded situation, so a season of success can ask for a lot. Etavian "Tank" Brown is an exciting prospect having moved from Minnesota. Originally listed as a linebacker, his frame and athleticism, combined with Michigan State's need for quarterback pressure, have put him in the mix as an edge.
Linebackers
Beginnings: Quavaris Crouch (Jr.), Noah Harvey (Redshirt Jr.)
Backup: Chase Kline (Redshirt Jr.), Ben VanSumren (Redshirt Jr.), Cal Halladay (Redshirt Freshman)
As a base defense, MSU uses only two linebackers, but there is still a fair amount of uncertainty as to the level of play for this group.
One of the most highly regarded transfers, Quaris Crouch, would likely be a starter since he was in Tennessee. He is a raw player, still learning the subtleties of the situation. Returning linebacker for the Spartan defense is Noah Harvey. That position is an injuring and stabilizing force in grouping.
As a recruit, Chase Kline was well regarded, yet his career has been somewhat quiet due to a shoulder issue, a system change brought in by defensive coordinator Scotty Hazleton, as well as between linebackers and edge rushers. Some positional movement. But Kline played 226 snaps last season, and made a career-high 29 tackles. Yet another transfer, and from the most unlikely of places (Michigan), Ben VanSumaren imparts potential and some knowledge from the time of his play with the Wolverines. The last man in the rotation is Cal Halladay, as a smaller and faster attacker he presents a different skill set than Kline and VanSumaren. I don't expect the highest-rated recruit for the upcoming class, Mama Goote, to see much, if any, on defense this week.
Cornerbacks
Starts: Ronald Williams (Sr.), Kalon Gervin (Redshirt Jr.)
Backup: Chester Kimbrough (Jr.), Marquee Lowery (Redshirt freshman), Khari Crump (Redshirt freshman), Charles Brantley (Freshman)
There are a lot of new faces in the cornerback position and I think we will see more of those faces show up.
Williams is a big cornerback who moved to East Lansing after a stint in Alabama and was in the junior college ranks before that. Gervin is the lone returning scholarship cornerback, and I believe he holds onto his position to start the season. Cass Tech Prospect was a starter last year, they experienced some ups and downs but appeared to progress as did their understanding of the system and their duties. Behind Gervin is Kimbrough, a transfer from Florida, who did not move with the hope of sitting on the sidelines. Like Williams, Kimbrough has impressed throughout the fall camp.
After that trio, there are several young players whom MSU will place on the spot and see who reaches the top. Lowy and Crump were transfers from other Power Five conference events that did not light up in the sporting event. Brantley is too thin for a tight, defensive back, but he got plenty of publicity and impressed his coaches throughout the camp.
Nickelback
Starter: Michael Dowell (Redshirt Jr.)
Backup: Darius Snow (Sophomore.)
It's hard to remember the last time a dowel wasn't playing for Michigan State's defense, as Michael's brothers, Andrew and David, were key pieces to the elite defense. To lose is Dowell's job. He has been moved from safety to nickel to fit Hazleton's 4-2-5 plan, which allows him to use his larger frame in run support. His backup appears to be Spartan heritage Darius Snow, who has the same tweener qualities as part linebacker, part defensive back. Snow played very little last year, so in the event that he can't take over the duties immediately, they will likely slip either Kimbrough or Angelo Gros to the spot.
Safeties
Debuts: Xavier Henderson Sr. - this week's team captain) and Angelo Gros (Sophistication)
Backup: Kendall Brooks (Jr.), Tate Hallock (Redshirt sophomore)
Henderson has a lock on one of the safety spots (potentially strong security), as this will be his third season as a starter. Gross mainly played Nickelback last season, though staff likes how he plays on the ball and wants to put him in a position that best suits his abilities, so he moves to free safety.
I would list Division II transfer Kendall Brooks and another MSU legacy, Tate Hallock, as reserves, but I think it's generally understood that Dowell and Snow will be the first to fill in for Henderson or Gross when the need arises. .