Momentum is moving swiftly in a positive direction for Michigan State as the spring season comes to a close. The Spartans were one of the last Big Ten teams to complete their offseason with Saturday’s Green and White game.
The Spartans started their month of spring practice answering questions about how they would handle the increased expectations after winning their second major bowl in an as many years. They finished by fielding questions about how much higher they might go.
The optimism starts with senior quarterback Connor Cook, who looked precise leading his half of the roster to an opening drive touchdown in Saturday’s spring game. Cook spent his spring fine-tuning his footwork to get more comfortable in the pocket. Head coach Mark Dantonio said he’s seen improvement from the starter who has compiled a 24-3 record in the last two years.
“As long as he’s perfect, things are going to go well,” Dantonio said. “I think we’ve got a great opportunity with him -- a championship-type quarterback, 24-3.”
No pressure, Connor. Cook has a team that showed this spring it should be able to control the line of scrimmage on offense and defense against most opponents to help take a little weight off his shoulders. Off the field, the Spartans ended spring on a high note as well, picking up five commitments on the recruiting trail in the last five days.
Michigan State’s coaches hope to keep momentum rolling in the right direction as they head into the summer. Meanwhile, let’s take a look back at some key developments from March and April.
Top Question Answered
How will one of the country’s top defenses rebound from losing some essential pieces? This spring Michigan State had to replace a surefire first-round pick, the program’s all-time leader in starts and defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi -- one of the most important architects of the program’s success over the last eight years -- among others.
In their place, Dantonio thinks he might have the deepest and best front seven he’s assembled in East Lansing.
“We’ve got numbers,” Dantonio said. “… [We] should be good up front. Should be. Have been. Should be.”
Defensive end Shilique Calhoun's decision to return for his final season of eligibility provided a big boost to that group in January. The development of others like Joel Heath, Lawrence Thomas and Malik McDowell have elevated the line to perhaps the team’s greatest strength.
The main questions came in the secondary where cornerback Trae Waynes and safety Kurtis Drummond need to be replaced. Sophomore safety Montae Nicholson, arguably the team’s best athlete, should help there. While the Spartans might not have the type of lockdown cornerback they have enjoyed during the last few years, the rest of the defense should be good enough to offset that loss.
Top Concern
The search for playmakers around Cook didn’t yield many definitive results this month. Tony Lippett and Jeremy Langford provided 49 percent of the Spartans’ offensive touchdowns last year, and both are expected to find themselves on NFL rosters in the next week. It’s not yet clear what combination of players will take their place in 2015.
A pair of arrests in March -- running back Delton Williams and wide receiver MacGarrett Kings Jr. -- provided a setback for two of the top candidates in that search. Kings returned later in the spring, but has yet to show the consistency to match his explosive potential. Senior DeAnthony Arnett was Cook’s favorite target in the passing game. He caught five passes in the spring game and seven in another scrimmage a week earlier.
That’s double the amount of receptions Arnett has made during the fall in his four years on campus. He’s made strides in becoming more physical and a better route-runner heading into his last season, but the Spartans will need others to step up as well.
The running game doesn’t have its workhorse back yet, but redshirt freshman Madre London and sophomore Gerald Holmes provided reason to believe that the physical brand of offense the Spartans have played under Dantonio is in good hands.
Top Rising Stars
1. DL Lawrence Thomas -- One of the most versatile weapons on the defensive line, Thomas started all 13 games last season. He’s been consistently mentioned as one of the more improved players this spring and should have a bigger impact as a pass rusher in 2015.
2. WR DeAnthony Arnett -- Arnett said his increase in production late in spring came because he had his first real opportunity to work consistently with Cook in practice and develop chemistry with the quarterback. He doesn’t have the physical make-up of Lippett, but his increased work ethic this year should make him a useful option in the passing game.
3. OG Brian Allen -- The sophomore guard was the top pick in this year’s spring draft (Michigan State divides its seniors into two groups and lets them select the rest of the roster for its spring game). Playing between All-America candidates Jack Conklin and older brother Jack Allen has helped the younger Allen mature quickly. He said he felt “dumpy” at 315 pounds en route to Freshman All-American status last fall. He’s trimmed down this spring, which makes the left side of the Spartans offensive line a trio worth fearing.