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Michigan State Football: Is Matt Dotson the next great Spartan tight end?

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Matt Dotson #89 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Matt Dotson #89 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a 27-24 win over the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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After a quiet freshman season with Michigan State football, is Matt Dotson ready to live up to his potential and become the next great Spartan tight end?

Josiah Price was one of those once-in-a-great-while type of tight ends for Michigan State who was as sure-handed as they came. He is considered an all-time great in East Lansing, but the Spartans are still searching for ‘the next’ just two years after his departure.

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Matt Dotson could be that guy.

The soon-to-be sophomore from Cincinnati, Ohio, was one of the top tight ends in the 2017 recruiting class, ranking No. 8 in the nation at the position, per 247Sports. He picked the Spartans over the likes of Penn State, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio State and a host of other top programs.

There’s a reason he held nearly two dozen offers from some of the nation’s top schools and Mark Dantonio’s recruitment victory was looked at as an instant upgrade to the tight end position.

Dotson had a quiet freshman season, though, sitting behind Matt Sokol, Noah Davis and Chase Gianacakos on the depth chart, catching just two passes for 19 yards.

With a year under his belt and the frame of a Big Ten tight end, Dotson can become well-rounded and push for starting time. He has the talent to be one of those elite level pass-catchers at the position, even looking like more of a receiver, at times. He’s strong enough to hold his own as a blocker, but his route-running, athleticism and soft hands set him apart.

If you’re looking for a future star at the position, look no further than Dotson. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, weight-wise, but his 6-5 frame and athleticism will put him on the same level as Price before his Spartan career is over.

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Expect a breakout season from the sophomore tight end from Ohio, nearing 300 yards with 3-4 touchdowns on 20-plus receptions. This will be a stepping stone to bigger and better things.

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