Michigan State Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2018
![EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a open receiver in the first half while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a open receiver in the first half while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/7ea26eabea8d6e4e974188125124ed042927aebbf38d4a8d35f0f88a60a97c03.jpg)
Receivers/Tight Ends
Like the defensive backfield, this could be the deepest receiving corps in the Mark Dantonio era. The Spartans return all three starters here and despite losing Hunter Rison and Trishton Jackson to transfers, the talent level is tremendous. At tight end, the depth may also be better here than it’s ever been under the 11th-year head coach.
Starting receivers: Felton Davis III, Darrel Stewart Jr., Cody White
Backups: Cam Chambers, C.J. Hayes, Laress Nelson
Felton Davis III could very well become the third Big Ten Receiver of the Year for the Spartans in the last five years. He broke out as a junior and has big expectations for his senior year and could be the Spartans first 1,000-yard receiver since Aaron Burbridge. Add in Darrell Stewart Jr. and Cody White and you may see the best receiving corps in the Big Ten.
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Cam Chambers, C.J. Hayes and my guess is Laress Nelson will provide the most punch off the bench. We could see the former break out as a redshirt sophomore while Hayes has the body type of a Burbridge, and the hands of the former Spartan star, too. Nelson, or true freshman Jalen Nailor, could be a shifty slot-type.
Starting tight end: Matt Sokol
Backup: Matt Dotson
Matt Sokol had 22 catches for just over 200 yards last season but he still had some tough drops throughout the year. Often times Chase Gianacakos came in for blocking purposes, but Sokol has the ability to do a little of everything, though he’ll have three young guns pushing him. Matt Dotson will be the backup, after packing on some good weight, but Noah Davis, if healthy, and freshman Trenton Gillison will get some snaps.