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Michigan State Football: Report card for first half of 2017 season

By Connor Muldowney

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - OCTOBER 14: Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans recovers a fumble as quarterback Conor Rhoda #15 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles him during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Hunter Rison #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first down as Duke McGhee #8 and Jacob Huff #2 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers look on during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Hunter Rison #5 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates a first down as Duke McGhee #8 and Jacob Huff #2 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers look on during the first quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

WR. Michigan State. WIDE RECEIVERS. B.

Why such a low grade for a talented group of wide outs? Honestly, it’s not so much the receivers’ and tight ends’ fault as it is the coaching staff’s for not utilizing this talent more. Granted, the playing conditions in recent weeks have halted any sort of potential breakout in the passing game, but even before that they were lightly-used.

This group has had its fair share of drops, though. However, they have been few and far between as Felton Davis III and Darrell Stewart Jr. lead the way. Davis III, a junior, has been a pleasant surprise, catching 24 passes for 300 yards and four touchdowns. He is a jump-ball threat with that big frame and as sure-handed as they come.

Stewart, on the other hand, is shifty and tough to bring down. He broke out in the first few games, but has been relatively quiet, outside of a huge catch at Michigan, since. He has 21 catches for 237 yards and a score along with 114 rushing yards.

After those two, it’s been a free-for-all. Freshman Hunter Rison has come into his own recently and might just settle into that slot role RJ Shelton left behind. He has nine catches for 130 yards, averaging the most yards per catch on the team.

Trishton Jackson missed the Minnesota game, but has been relatively quiet with nine catches for 121 yards. Tight end Matt Sokol has 11 receptions for 121 yards. Cam Chambers and Cody White have nine combined receptions for 104 yards and it’d be nice to get them more involved. The talent is there.

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