Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: Predicting depth chart following spring game

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) runs off the field during the 2nd half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) runs off the field during the 2nd half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
12 of 17
Next
Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Ed Davis (43) looks over the Michigan Wolverines offense during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 25, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Ed Davis (43) looks over the Michigan Wolverines offense during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

‘Star’ Linebacker

Projected Starter: Ed Davis, Senior (6th year)

Even though he hasn’t been cleared just yet, it’s hard to say that Ed Davis won’t be the starting linebacker in the fall. He was listed as a backup to Jon Reschke as ‘Sam’ linebacker on the spring depth chart, but there’s no way last year’s full-time ‘Sam’ starter will be replaced. If anything, Reschke could move to ‘Star’ and make way for Davis to go back to ‘Sam’ linebacker. Either way, Davis is starting.

Backup: Andrew Dowell, Sophomore

As a true freshman in 2015, Andrew Dowell earned some unexpected playing time and looked good on both special teams and defense. He comes into spring ball listed as the No. 1 ‘Star’ linebacker, but I don’t think that’ll realistically hold up. He’s talented enough to win the job, but he has to beat out Reschke and/or Davis.

Rotation: Grayson Miller, Sophomore

Grayson Miller also played as a true freshman in 2015 due to injuries that riddled the secondary. He returns for his sophomore season as a linebacker and that looks like a position that will fit him better. The physical second-year player was impressive last year and looks to make a push for time, even as a rotational guy, this season.

Reserve: T.J. Harrell, Sophomore

I’ve liked T.J. Harrell for a couple of years now, but after a strong spring last year, he didn’t play much even in the absence of Ed Davis. He was Darien Harris’ backup last year but it looks like Dowell has since passed him up.

Reserve: Sean Harrington, Junior

Sean Harrington is the odd man out here. The walk-on from Orchard Lake St. Mary’s is a bit undersized and has spent his career as a behind-the-scenes type of guy. He likely won’t see much action this year, either.

Reserve: Brandon Randle, Freshman

The only reason Brandon Randle is all the way down here is because I expect him to redshirt in 2015 as a true freshman. The Army All-American is one of Dantonio’s prized 2016 recruits.

Next: 'Mike' Linebacker

Home/Spartans Football