Michigan State freshmen to get good look in camp

By Marcus Hartman
Published

Michigan State football coach Mark Dantonio has typically preferred to avoid playing true freshmen, a policy that has worked well for the most part as he and his staff have proven to be adept at identifying and developing under-recruited prospects into productive players. 

An extra year of development -- time to learn the game and grow physically -- is often beneficial, but some players are more ready to contribute early than others. 

With Dantonio having brought in his highest-rated recruiting class yet in February, it comes as little surprise he sees a lot of players who could burn redshirts next month when the 2015 season gets started. That is despite having a lot of experience and depth at many positions. 

"I think it's just a matter of where our need is, can people stay healthy, and how ready are the players," Dantonio told reporters in East Lansing. "Montae Nicholson played last year. He's a great athlete, great tackler, great ball skills so we put him in there.

"Some other guys played as well, but it was because of need or because of their abilities, and I think that's usually what happens." 

To make sure everyone gets a fair shake, Dantonio said he and his staff plan to break down reps by first team, second team and freshman. 

"It takes a little bit longer, but we're going to go ones, twos and frosh and see how they make their way, and then we're going to put them against our ones at times, too, throughout practice," Dantonio said. "So we're going to see them measure up not just against frosh but against the ones as well as the twos. We're just going to try and build their résumé and see how they handle it as we go."

This year 20 Spartans are fifth-year seniors and only three are listed as fourth-year seniors. Only four true freshmen played last season. 

As for players who could find themselves on the field this fall, Dantonio mentioned receivers Darrell Stewart and Felton Davis, running back L.J. Scott and defensive backs David Dowell, Josh Butler and Tyson Smith.