Michigan State Football: 5 second-year players due for big jump in 2020

EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 09: Tre Mosley #17 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his first half touchdown catch with teammates while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini at Spartan Stadium on November 09, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 09: Tre Mosley #17 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his first half touchdown catch with teammates while playing the Illinois Fighting Illini at Spartan Stadium on November 09, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans prepares to take a snap from offensive lineman Matt Allen #64 in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – NOVEMBER 17: Quarterback Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans prepares to take a snap from offensive lineman Matt Allen #64 in the second half against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on November 17, 2018 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

Chris Kapilovic was one heck of a hire by Mel Tucker. The new offensive line coach and run game coordinator was the main reason Colorado went from one of college football’s worst offensive lines in 2018 to one of the most improved in 2019. He helped turn that unit around in a short period of time and he’ll do the same with Michigan State.

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The Spartans aren’t lacking talent in this area, by any means. Most of the starters return and Mark Dantonio just reeled in one of his deepest offensive line classes in 2019, headlined by Devontae Dobbs.

The former five-star recruit came in with major expectations out of Belleville, Mich., and played four games to maintain that redshirt, squeezing an extra year out of him.

Dobbs’ lofty expectations won’t simmer in 2020 even with a new staff in place and should only skyrocket with Kapilovic leading the way. He should improve tremendously and there’s a good chance he’ll be starting when the season kicks off.

While he’s listed as an offensive lineman (no set position), he has starting experience as a left tackle and that could be his calling.