Spartan football depth chart puts freshmen in the spotlight
Last year, just down the road, the University of Michigan started true freshmen at quarterback and running back en route to the Rose Bowl. According to Shannon Shelton of the Detroit Free Press, it is the Spartans’ turn to rely on collegiate rookies.
Thirteen freshmen are listed as second or third options on the depth chart, although Smith hopes that he won’t have to rely on all of them.
“I would hopefully like to not use all of those,” he said. “In a perfect world, you’d like to bring in 17 kids, redshirt every one of them and not have to use them. And that they’re not good enough to break into the starting lineup because you’re that good athletically in front of them.”
Whip linebacker Adam Decker, rush end Brandon Long, receiver Ryan Allison, cornerback Ross Weaver and running back Javon Ringer — all true freshmen — are the most likely to play this season.
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In an article from MLive, Tim Martin of the Associated Press elaborates on which freshmen will see significant on-field time.
A handful of prominent first-year players could make their debuts on offense for Michigan State. The biggest is Roland Martin, a 6-foot-5, 318-pound redshirt freshman who likely will see significant action at right guard.
Ryan Allison and Diego Oquendo, both true freshmen, could see action as receivers. So could redshirt freshman Carl Grimes.
Highly touted running back Javon Ringer could get a few carries behind primary backs Jason Teague, a senior, and Jehuu Caulcrick, a sophomore.