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Michigan State Football: 5 position battles to watch in spring 2019

By Connor Muldowney

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Tyler Higby #70 and Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with Tyler Higby #70 and Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans after scoring a touchdown against the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Matt Dotson #89 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards after a second half catch while being tackled by Pete Werner #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 10: Matt Dotson #89 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for yards after a second half catch while being tackled by Pete Werner #20 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

4. Tight end

The Matt Dotson bandwagon took a little time to get chugging along in 2018, but the sophomore tight end struggled early in the season and then came on strong to close it out.

Now entering his third year with the program, he’s going to be depended on to be a potential starter with Matt Sokol gone, and that means he needs to be a better blocker and can’t drop the passes consistently like his former teammate.

Sokol had just eight catches for 100 yards and a touchdown in 2018, but it seemed as if he could have doubled those numbers if not for all the drops. Dotson, on the other hand, had 14 receptions for 159 yards and a score, flashing potential, but also struggling halfway through the season.

Did his struggles, at times, during the 2018 campaign open the door slightly for a kid like Trenton Gillison?

It’s possible, but it’ll be interesting to see just how well the redshirt freshman performs in spring ball and if he’s ready to steal some snaps from Dotson. Both are talented tight ends and you can bet the battle for that No. 1 spot will be heated.

Don’t sleep on Noah Davis who missed last season due to injury as he could be the dark-horse here, but has the experience.

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