The Class of 2017: Early Contributions?
SpartanMag.com looks at the class of 2017 and which players could make an early contribution as Mark Dantonio and Michigan State look to get back to championship level football.
Some people think that playing freshmen is a sign of weakness, but one look at teams such as Ohio State and Alabama shows that even the most talented teams in the nation often need true freshmen to step in and make an impact. I take a look at what current 2017 commitments could see the field next fall for Michigan State:
WIDE RECEIVER:
The Spartans are playing some young players in Donnie Corley and Trishton Jackson, but they will still need 2017 players to step in and contribute. The team's leading receiver, RJ Shelton, will graduate and Monty Madaris is also a 5th year senior. I think it is a sure bet that one if not two of the wide receivers signed for 2017 are on the field next fall.
Right now the Spartans have commitments from Hunter Rison and Cody White. Both players have had outstanding senior years and bring a lot of talent to the position. Rison is a true wide receiver and his crisp route running and outstanding hands will serve him well. White reminds me of a Tony Lippett type in that he has excelled at multiple positions in high school.
At this point I think both players will see the field next fall. I expect both will come in physically ready to go. The Spartans want to add the speedster Kahlee Hamler and he is another wideout who could play early especially in the return game and on jet sweeps.
TIGHT END:
It is almost a given that the tight ends signed in 2017 will have an opportunity to play right away. The graduation of Jamal Lyles and Josiah Price along with the medical DQ of Dylan Chmura makes the depth chart wide open. Only Matt Sokol will return with any playing experience. After that it is completely wide open.
The Spartans routinely play two tight ends and they have often been at their best when they have a trio of contributors like they had with Dion Sims (NFL), Garrett Celek (NFL) and Brian Linthicum. Last year it was Paul Lang, Price and Lyles that helped the Spartans win the Big Ten.
Jack Camper of Florida will likely enroll early and that will give him an opportunity to learn the offense. At a solid 6-foot-5, 237-pounds, he has the size that should allow him to be physically ready next fall. Camper also plays defense for IMG Academy so physicality should be a strong suit.
Matt Dotson of Ohio has the ability to get down the seam, highpoint the ball and run after the catch. That is something the Spartans will look to incorporate right away. I can see Dotson working as an H-Back or flexing out next fall. He will be a tough match-up for linebackers and could become a red zone threat the way Price has.
I expect both Camper and Dotson to be on the field next fall. They both bring a lot of talent and versatility to the position. Both players come from exceptional high school programs and understand the level of commitment it takes to be successful.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
This one is tough to figure out as offensive line is always tough to gauge and evaluate. In 2016 the Spartans have been forced to play true freshman Thiyo Lukusa and redshirt freshmen Tyler Higby and Cole Chewins.
The Spartans will graduate Kodi Kieler, Benny McGowan and Miguel Machado. For that reason, I think it is almost a given that one OL signed form 2017 will be in the 2-deep next fall. The Spartans have four OL committed in Kevin Jarvis, Matt Carrick, Jordan Reid and Mustafa Khaleefah. Whoever grasps the blocking schemes the fastest will have the inside track.
DEFENSIVE LINE:
No position may be more wide open than the defensive line. Not only will the Spartans graduate several players, but Malik McDowell could leave early for the NFL. Several current upperclassmen on the roster have yet to show they can make plays consistently. Freshmen such as Josh King, Mike Panasiuk and Auston Robertson have already seen the field. I expect the same thing to happen with the class of 2017.
Jacub Panasiuk, who is listed at 6-foot-4, 260-pounds, is a player that I am very high on. I see him as someone who will end up gaining weight and eventually sliding inside. For that reason I think he could potentially redshirt. That could be very beneficial as I have a feeling after a year with Coach Mannie he will be 290-pounds.
The lack of production from the defensive end position is something that Mark Dantonio has never had to deal with until this year. Florida defensive ends LaShawn Paulino and Donovan Winter are players that will be given every opportunity to make an early impact. The Spartans need players who can rush the quarterback and hold up at the point of attack.
Paulino is known for his ability to come off the edge and rush the quarterback. This is something that the Spartans desperately need. At a minimum I expect Paulino will be given the opportunity of being a third-down specialist. Playing for St. Thomas Aquinas will serve him well as far as the transition to the next level.
Winter is a physical player with a high motor. Watching his film you see someone who understands his role as a defensive end. He knows when to get up field and when to hold the point of attack. He also does a nice job of stringing plays out. It is obvious that he has been well taught by his father Blaise Winter who is a former NFL player and D1 defensive line coach.
The Spartans would like to add another DL to the mix and a player with the versatility of Flint's Deron Irving-Bey is just what the staff is looking for.
LINEBACKER:
This position is tough to figure out. The Spartans will lose Riley Bullough and Ed Davis, but they are expecting that Jon Reschke will return to full health. Few would have ever thought that true freshman Joe Bachie would be forced into action this year, but injuries and targeting suspensions can change things quickly.
The Spartans recently offered a few new linebacker prospects so this is a position that still needs to be addressed. Linebacker commitment Darien Clemons is coming off a season ending injury. The hope is that Reschke, Bachie, Chris Frey, Andrew Dowell, Shane Jones and Tyriq Thompson can stay healthy and get the job done, but the best laid plans…
DEFENSIVE BACK:
This position is tough to figure out as the Spartans will lose starters to graduation in Demetrious Cox and Darian Hicks, but they also have young players they are hoping will step up. With that being said, few would have thought that Justin Layne would be forced into action this fall or that Vayante Copeland would miss significant playing time again due to injury.
The staff would really like to add a couple of lockdown cover corners to the class. They have a commitment from Ohio product Josiah Scott and he has had a strong senior year. The staff would love to pair him up with another player who excels in coverage. The staff has offered several other cornerback prospects that are viewed as potential early impact recruits.
Safety commitment Dominique Long has freaky athletic ability. I think it will be interesting to see just how big he gets as he develops. I expect he will be close to 220-225 pounds within 2-years. With that said, I think he will red-shirt before he challenges for starting spot.
FINAL ANALYSIS:
-Most likely to play right away:
Hunter Rison
Jack Camper
Matt Dotson
Lashawn Paulino
Donovan Winter
-Will have a strong chance to see the field
Cody White
One of 4 OL prospects
-Expect a redshirt
2 of the four OL