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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 /
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Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Brian Allen (65) stands on the field during the 1st quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Brian Allen (65) stands on the field during the 1st quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Center

Projected Starter: Brian Allen, Junior

The backup left guard (joking, of course) happens to be the team’s starting center and this is as much of a lock on the depth chart as you can get. He had an up-and-down sophomore season, trying to get used to new guys starting to his left and right every week due to injuries, but he expects to excel this year. Don’t be surprised to see him earn first-team All-Big Ten honors.

Backup: Devyn Salmon, Junior

Yet another guy who changed positions from high school to college, Devyn Salmon was considered a defensive tackle at the prep level, but has switched over to the offensive line. The 6-foot-1, 310-pound lineman could finally see some action at center this year, especially if injuries are as rampant as they were a season ago.

Reserve: Thiyo Lukusa, Freshman

Chances are Thiyo Lukusa redshirts this season and takes the field as a potential backup to Brian Allen next season. Give him two years and he will be starting somewhere on the offensive line. The early enrollee freshman has been getting compliments from the coaching staff this spring and the work he’s putting in is not going unnoticed. Although he was a tackle in high school, he is starting out on the depth chart as a center.

Reserve: Kodi Kieler, Senior

At every offensive line position, there’s an ‘OR’ listed at the top, and that’s just for injury precautions. Kodi Kieler is technically the backup to Allen, but will likely not see much time at center because he will be starting elsewhere on the line.

Reserve: Matthew Allen, Freshman

Another guy who I see redshirting, Matthew Allen — the youngest brother of Brian and Jack Allen — was the Spartans’ lone center commit in the class of 2016. He wasn’t highly-rated, but the high school wrestler could follow in both of his brothers’ footsteps and shine in the green and white.

Next: Right Guard

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