Michigan State Football: Next man up at every position

Jan 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Monty Madaris (88) celebrates after Michigan State Spartans beat the Stanford Cardinal 24-20 at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports

Monty Madaris’ time to shine may come sooner than many think. He came out of high school in Ohio as a highly-rated receiver who knew he was going to have to wait his turn with Michigan State’s wide receiving corps pretty loaded for years to come.

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With Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery departed and now in the NFL, Madaris will need to step up and fill a couple voids on offense.

Sure this team already has guys like Aaron Burbridge, RJ Shelton, DeAnthony Arnett, Macgarrett Kings and AJ Troup, but the junior receiver is right up there with all of them, in terms of talent and untapped potential.

Learning behind Bennie Fowler, Lippett and Mumphery — all NFL talents — for the past few years, Madaris knows what it takes to be a successful receiver at the collegiate level. He has the hands, route-running ability and speed to become an elite pass-catcher in this offense.

Connor Cook is going to need a couple under-the-radar guys to jump into a prominent role and become the next ‘top target’ for MSU.

The future at this position is extremely bright and it starts with the junior receiver who will get his first real shot this season.

Next: Defensive tackle