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Michigan State Football: 5 upperclassmen who need to step up in 2019

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 27: Cam Chambers #21 of the Michigan State Spartans makes a catch for a first down and tackled by Markus Bailey #21 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 27: Cam Chambers #21 of the Michigan State Spartans makes a catch for a first down and tackled by Markus Bailey #21 of the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on October 27, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Rey Del Rio/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) /

Matt Dotson committed to Michigan State as one of the top tight ends in the entire 2017 class and he had an opportunity to help replace Josiah Price in year one.

However, he didn’t play much as a true freshman, appearing in just two games, catching just two passes for 19 yards. It was a quiet season for the former four-star recruit from Ohio, but everyone had a feeling he would break out soon enough, especially with Matt Sokol not running away with the starting job.

Dotson’s sophomore campaign was up-and-down, though. He showed flashes of brilliance against teams like Indiana and Purdue, but he dropped some crucial passes throughout the season that had fans jumping off the bandwagon. He finished the year with 14 catches for 159 yards and a touchdown in eight games, but he hadn’t realized his potential.

This offseason, something has clicked with Dotson. He’s been earning praise from the coaching staff and Mark Dantonio has even stated that he’s catching on quicker and has shown more than he had in his previous two offseasons.

If he can become that go-to tight end that Michigan State had with Price, he could be something special.

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