Michigan State Football: Top 5 position battles to watch this fall

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Jaylen Dunlap #1 of the Illinois Fighting Illini and Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans battle for the ball in the end zone during the game at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Michigan State 31-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /

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(Photo by Brett Carlsen/Getty Images) /

4. Tight End

Gone is Josiah Price from the tight end position who had over 1,200 yards and 21 touchdowns throughout his Michigan State career. He was one of the better receiving tight ends that Dantonio had coached in East Lansing, but now he has to choose between a wealth of younger guys.

Right now, it seems as if Matt Sokol has the job sewn up. He’s the veteran presence at tight end, but has just two catches for 26 yards over his career. Can he break out as a junior and hold on to that starting job, or will a younger guy come up and swipe some snaps?

There are two young guys, in fact, that have the potential to play early for the Spartans. One is Noah Davis, a tight end from Ohio in the Spartans’ 2016 class, and the other is Matt Dotson, a talented four-star incoming freshman from Cincinnati. Both have the size, strength and Dotson has the incredible speed to contend right away.

Many believe that Dotson has the highest ceiling of the bunch, but he needs to focus on blocking, because everyone knows he can catch the ball well. Davis has been in the system for two years, so expect him to have an early leg up.

Jack Camper, another freshman tight end, figures to move to the defensive line.

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