MSU Red Cedar Message Board

The answer to this statement is....it depends on Maxwell. If he is better than average, we're going to be damn good.

1 freshmen that wasnt not reshirted
The most talented group on D returns that weve seen in 25 years
Spring ball should be interesting at WR and ill bet a wooden nickel stars emerge from a large group of talented young studs
The well is deep and talented with our jedi coach

Have faith in Dantonio

OK. This is what we know based on actual reports from the team.

Offense
QB- Maxwell will be a 4th year player in the system next year as a starter. He will have a full grasp of the entire offense. Furthermore, both Kirk Cousins and Coach Warner have said that Maxwell is ahead of where Cousins was at the same time frame. So, in theory, the expectation should be for Maxwell to be as good as the 2010 version of Cousins or better next year. For reference, that's 2,800 yards 20 TD and 10 INT for Cousins in 2010. Use that as the measuring stick.

OL- 7 players with starting experience return (France, Jackson, McDonald, Fonoti, Burkland, Treadwell, and Ruhland). That's a solid start in terms of depth. Not to mention that it is likely that Micajah Reynolds and Jack Allen are likely to make a strong push for starting spots as well. It has also been reported that redshirt freshman tackle Michael Dennis has been playing well too. Bottom line is that there will be a lot of talent and experience in the two-deeps on the line. That should help open more holes in the running game and improve pass protection. Both of those things are the best things you could ask for when you have a first year starter.

RB- Everybody comes back and should be great. Will also benefit from the improving offensive line.

WR- This is definitely a young group, but that isn't exactly the end of the world. The general rule for football is that the farther away from the ball a position is at the snap, the easier it is to be a quality player earlier in your career. That's why there is such a premium on veteran linemen and QBs where younger WR and DBs are more likely to thrive. Also, once again using recent MSU history for perspective, we are in MUCH better shape than 2008 when our top 3 receivers were a walk-on (Blair White) and two second year players (Mark Dell and BJ Cunningham). We will have a talented 4th year player in Bennie Fowler, two 3rd year players in Lippett and Mumphrey, and some talented 2nd year players in Sims and Caesar.

Will there be a dropoff? Probably, but we won't fall off a cliff.

TE- This is a mixed bag. It certainly hurts to lose Celek and Linthicum. Celek is a solid blocker and LInthicum is a solid receiver who's blocking got better as the season went on. However, we return arguably our most talented TE in SIms. That's definitely a plus. Behind him is sort of the x-factors for the position. fellow 4th year player Derek Hoebing is 6'7" 270. He likely will never be a major receiving threat, but at that size it's almost like having a 3rd offensive tackle on the field and could be key in the running game. For another receiving threat, look to redshirt freshman Paul Lang. He's been on the scout team this year so not much has been heard from him, but he was a fairly prolific pass catcher in high school.

To me, this position is likely a wash compared to this year with the potential be even better if Sims can stay healthy and be productive.

Offense overall- I think that there is the potential for greatness here. If it all comes together perfectly, the talent is there for something VERY special. That being said, nothing ever goes perfectly. I do, however, see next year's team improving on offense compared to this year. Mainly because I think we can run the ball more effectively than we did this year and in our scheme, if you can do that, the entire offense can function more properly.

Defense
DL- Obviously the GIGANTIC question mark is Worthy. If he comes back, this is an absolutely dominant group. If he doesn't, this is still a very good group. Will Gholston is an absolute force on his edge and Marcus Rush has had a solid year that he will likely build upon. Also, missed behind Worthy's studliness and Pickelman's great year is the fact that Anthony Rashad White has played very well the second half of the year as well. As far as the depth behind them, on the outside you have Tyler Hoover returning from injury. As a former starter, he might push Rush for starting time opposite of Gholston. Also there is veteran depth at DE in Denzel Drone plus some exciting youngsters in Shilique Calhoun and Joel Heath.

On the inside, walk-on Jordan Sanders is likely to step in for the role that Strayhorn has been filling the past few seasons. Transfer James Kittredge has been getting some rave reviews on the scout team this year. Also, there are true freshmen Ramondo, Scarpinato, Clemons, and Knox. Overall on defense, I think without Worthy it is about as good or perhaps a slight dropoff, but if Worthy comes back...lookout.

LB- Everybody is back and everybody is a year better. Pretty excited about this.

DB- Everybody is back except Robinson. What we lose in leadership, we gain in raw talent. Even Robinson has said repeatedly that he doesn't even think he would have been recruited by MSU if he'd been a few years younger based on the athletic talent that has followed him here. Overall, our depth gets better as well. At safety, we add Mylan Hicks back from injury and RJ Williamson from redshirt. at CB, DIxon, Lippett, and Langford get another year of experience plus some quality redshirt freshman in Waynes and Colquhoun. This year we were talented at the top of the depth chart but thin. Next year we will be talented at the top and throughout the depth chart.

Defensive Overall- This is going to be a great defense next year no matter what happens. If Worthy comes back, it could be a NC caliber level defense. I mean scary good.