MSU Depth Chart 2015
Copy and Paste from the OSU Depth Chart post. Someone asked for it, so I put it together, but I thought it could also bring out enough discussion to warrent it's own thread. These are B1G East opponents, so I do believe it is relevant to this board.
QB: Cook JR, O'Connor SO
RB: Langford SR, Hill SR (Williams SO, London FR)
FB: Pendleton JR
TE: Price SO, Gleichert SR, (Lyles SO)
LT: Conklin SO, Finley FR
LG: Jackson SR, Kruse SR
C: Allen JR, Allen FR
RG: Kruse SR, Clark JR
RT: Clark JR, Kieler SO
X: Lippet SR, Troup JR
Z: Mumpery SR, Burbridge JR
F: Shelton SO, Kings JR
DE: Calhoun JR, Cooper FR
DE: Rush SR, Jones So
DT: Thomas JR, Know JR
NT: Heath JR, McDowell FR
Star: Harris JR, Hicks SR
MIKE: Jones SR, Bullough SO,
SAM: Davis JR, Frey FR
FC: Hicks SO, Colquhoun JR
BC: Waynes JR, Cox SO, Edmondson SO
FC: Drummond SR, Cox SO,
SS: Williamson JR, Nicholson FR
K: Geiger SO
P: Sadler SR
I think Langford will be a pretty decent loss for MSU. He does a lot of little things really well. Williams is a good back, but I think he tops off at sort of a Green level. They are supposedly high London as well, so watch for him to get carries next year.
Lippett is a big loss, there is no getting around that. He was Cook's security blanket and is a very good WR. Mumphery was consistent as well. Burbridge, Madaris, Kings, and Arnett are still a group of good athletes though, they just need to do the detailed things better (Burbridge looked good in their bowl game). Troup is a legit walk-on too, that will play.
Gleichert was a great blocking TE, but Price is one of the better all-around TEs in the B1G. Lyles is raw but skilled.
They'll likely get back Conklin and Allen on the OL, two All-American types. I expect the younger Allen to slide in at OG, where he played a bit this year, and should be solid. They're relying on former JUCO to fill in at the other spot most likely, so we'll see.
I don't expect Calhoun to go pro, but it's probably about 50/50. Depth at DE is scarce, and losing Rush is a big loss regardless of what people say. They have some bodies behind them, but if they loss Calhoun they will be very young and very raw at DE next year, and will likely get pushed around a bit. Cooper and Sweat have potential, but it's still potential. If they loss both starting DEs, expect them to play with a quasi-DT at DE to be more stout against the run.
They have great depth on the interior and get some FR to start contributing as well. They should improve at DT.
Hicks was basically their Nickel LB at the STAR postion. Powell will move from Safety to fill that role. Jones will be a bit of a loss, I liked Bullough better at SAM, but this won't be a huge drop off. Reschke can't seem to stay healthy, which hurts his development.
CB is a huge concern. Waynes looks like he has one foot out the door. They started Lippett because the other guys weren't performing. Typically they move the better CB to the boundary, but they don't really have a better CB right now. Cox is a better safety than CB, Hicks has some talent but needs to vastly improve his footwork.
Safety has some issues as well. I really like what I saw out of a young guy in Nicholson, so I think he'll be a factor. Wouldn't be surprised if Williamson and Nicholson both start and Cox is the BCB. But depth at all the DB positions is a bit scary for them, which isn't good in that defense. It'll be interesting if their scheme changes at all with losing Narduzzi and the lack of proven bodies on the back end, though I kind of doubt it.
Overall, I really expect them to be just about the same caliber team next year. If they lose Cook and Calhoun, then they should expect a drop off, but right now, I'd predict top 10-15 for MSU in 2015.
January 2nd, 2015 at 12:41 PM ^
Calhoun has constantly been talked about as a 1st round pick. The risk vs reward of him going back to school simply isn't worth it for him.
Also tons of edge rushers? Most of mock drafts seem to have around 5 or so DEs going in the 1st round one of which is Calhoun.
January 2nd, 2015 at 2:25 PM ^
He's overrated as a prospect if media are mocking him to 1st round.
By edge rushers (3-4 OLB and 4-3 DE), I think Randy Gregory, Bud Dupree, Vic Beasley, Eli Harold, Shane Ray, Dante Fowler, Hau'Oli Kikaha, Nate Orchard, and Owa Odighizuwa are all likely to go ahead of Calhoun. This is a deep class of edge pass rushers. Gregory, Dupree, Harold and Ray are likely a top 20 pick.
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
If Calhoun leaves for the NFL, I bet he's drafted before Funchess.
January 2nd, 2015 at 9:44 AM ^
January 2nd, 2015 at 9:57 AM ^
Playing the "I think State will take a step back next year" game is always a bad idea. They'll be right there with 10+ wins again next year.
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:13 AM ^
Except they did take a step back this year and they are going to be losing more key players on D and on offense. Also losing Narduzzi certainly will not help them.
January 3rd, 2015 at 1:53 PM ^
Man I'd love it if my team stepped back and finished 11-2 with a win against #5 in the country.
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:21 AM ^
Seriously, it's getting pretty ridiculous and impossible to defend. It's always, "Staee will take a step back next year." Then the season happens and it's..."well they got lucky I guess ...but like for totes realz tho, Staee will take a step back NEXT year for sure." Rinse and repeat. MSU being good doesn't mean Michigan will suck.
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:29 AM ^
But they did take a step back - they got waxed by OSU and Oregon, and needed Baylor to stop scoring in the 4th quarter for them to pull off a miracle comeback. Yes, they deserve credit for beating Baylor (who themselves were a bit of a paper tiger their meh resume overall), but after that there best win was, what, PSU? Rutgers? Those are okay teams, but it was a team that struggled against good offenses and is going to be losing even more players from that unit this year. Nobody expects MSU to crater, but they could absolutely lose 3-4 games next year with Oregon coming to town, plus road games @OSU, @UM, @Nebraska.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:04 AM ^
is taking a step back, then I'd love to have that kind of down season.......
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:26 AM ^
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:31 AM ^
Baylor at a major bowl game. They'll finish top 5 this season. I'd be satisfied with the season.
January 2nd, 2015 at 12:42 PM ^
Co Big12 champ Baylor. Baylor was not the best team in the Big12. That was TCU.
January 2nd, 2015 at 2:26 PM ^
who beat TCU this season.....
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:01 AM ^
This may come as a shock to you, but teams do take steps back. Teams who recruit at Sparty's level take steps back when they lose multiple potential 1st rounders of their D and their D coordinator.
January 3rd, 2015 at 1:58 PM ^
Sure they do, you are right. But what Dantonio is doing in E. Lansing is unheard of. If ND doesn't beat them last year, they are playing for a National Championship. OhioSt & Sparty are not going anywhere.
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:08 AM ^
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:36 AM ^
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^
I think he'll be a mid-to-late round draft pick. He was a guy they started at DB because he was a good athlete before bulking him up quite a bit. But his footwork and vision were excellent as a RB, and so it certainly isn't an insignificant loss.
As I said, Williams is an alright back. I think he's similar to a poor man's Bell (I think that's what they are trying to mold him after), but could be an average B1G RB next year. I wasn't high on London coming in, but he's gotten a lot of Buzz. Scott is a guy that reminds me a bit of Chris Perry as far as running style. Some are saying he red shirts because they like the depth in front of him, but I don't see it happening.
It'll be a pretty young group and I don't know if they have a good pass catcher (they are historically awful at RB screens anyway), someone will need to step up in pass pro (Langford was great there, Hill was adequate, Williams has the size at least). I think it's solid but not spectacular. No real gamebreaker type, but guys that can churn out yards with the OL they have.
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:38 AM ^
At one point in the season it seemed that Cook was getting some early draft round talk...and well, I've seen enough of him...so he should go :)
Its amazing how far Cook has come as a QB in 2+ years. He made some bone head plays yesterday..but when it mattered most he was money. Never seemed impacted by the moment...was just cold-blooded when he needed to be.
Cook and Calhoun should make the leap ;)
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:00 AM ^
He missed two wide open wide receivers on their last drive, first and second down. Looked like nerves. And he was absolutely bailed out when he lost his mind and threw the pick 6. Last year's Rose Bowl as well. threw it directly to Stanford defenders multiple times only to have them drop.
But I agree he's very good. You have to pressure him and force him to make bad decisions, which he will. But a good scheme that gives him a lot of open first reads, great pass protection from his OL, and his own escapability have limited those mistakes.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:09 AM ^
Think he needs work on progressing to #3, and because of that can get lost against more multiple-coverage teams. But as far as reading the safeties and then reading his first movement key and hitting #1 or #2, he's solid. And that's often enough in the college game. He's also pretty good at looking defenders off for the college level.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:07 AM ^
I think people got a bit enamored with his arm talent, which is very good. He also has a great TD:INT ratio back to back years, which people love.
I don't think he's a first round pick. I think very few QBs are, and NFL teams jump on guys they shouldn't too often. If I had a third or so round pick I'd snatch up Cook in a hurry, because the upside is there, but he's far from a sure thing.
The biggest thing, IMO, is very inconsistent footwork. On screens and short passes he gets lazy and tends to throw the ball with all arm. He tends to fade too much in the pocket when he faces interior pressure. He's not very good at selling the screen. He struggles to consistently transfer his weight. Those are things he can get away with in college but will kill him in the NFL.
Still a high level prospect for the NFL, but I still think he's more of a prospect than a product. And it's not a Vick type thing where it's just a great athlete that is raw but has a super-high ceiling, so I don't think his prospect warrents a first round pick right now. We'll see though, but most expect him to come back (as a Michigan fan, I'd be happy to see him go though, but personally I think he can really improve his stock by staying, especially with this year's QB class, where he won't go about Winston or Mariotta, and is in the same range as a bunch of other QBs).
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:42 AM ^
That is a great offense. I hope there's an energetic young agent out there with a scheme of money and whoores to get Cook to go pro.
Defense will be interesting. You need elite CB's and safeties to play that scheme. They're all very well coached, but I saw them get beat a lot more this year (albeit against good competition) than I have in the past. Some combination of not having the horses, losing Narduzzi's expertise, and other teams starting to figure them out, may lead to a drop off next year. Finally. Do enough big plays early in the season, combined with a very good O, push them to dial back the aggressiveness?
If you've got athletes that can beat press or take advantage of 1-on-1 coverage, you can beat that D. Very curious how they look next year. Going to be a blast.
January 2nd, 2015 at 10:56 AM ^
Msu will most likely be top 5; my guess is #5
Rutgers should be #25 or one of the first teams getting votes
Penn State needs a good first few weeks of the 2015 season
Maryland ... Eh, idk
Michigan- see Penn State
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:08 AM ^
I don't see MSU being in the top 5. You will have Oregon, USC (who was insanely young this year), OSU, TCU, FSU, Alabama, etc. The pre season top 5 won't just be the ending top 5 of this year. FSU has been killing it recruting and won't go away just because they lose Winston.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^
Pre-season rankings aren't that complex:
Finish previous year near top 5: Check
Return regarded QB from previous year: Check
And that equates to a top 5 ranking.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:03 AM ^
Their incoming class is quite good for MSU standards (out of 15 commits six land in Scout top 250).
I think they'll be able to redshirt pretty much all of them. LJ Scott, their best "rated" recruit, very likely will be playing. He looks like a tank at RB and besides him they'll be leaning on some relatively inexperienced guys at RB (D. Williams who has played and Madre London who will be a red shirt fresh). Their o line should be solid next year which will help.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:04 AM ^
Just announced on 97.1. He is a good player.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:06 AM ^
Narduzi's fire was the turning point of the game yesterday
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:11 AM ^
They are having co-DC's in Harlon Barnett and Mike Tressel. They interestingly enough also currently have co-OC's (Bollman and Warner).
Rumors that Brad Salem may follow Narduzzi to Pitt.
January 2nd, 2015 at 12:20 PM ^
I'd like to see Salem leave. He's done nice work with Cousins and Cook.
January 2nd, 2015 at 11:39 AM ^
January 2nd, 2015 at 12:26 PM ^
11-2 is their baseline? They've got a tougher schedule and have to replace Narduzzi. They could end up finishing with that record but it wouldn't shock me if they slipped a bit.
January 2nd, 2015 at 12:46 PM ^
People can't have it both ways. Either its the system or its the players. Well they are losing their 2 best defensive players to the draft and the guy who ran their defense is gone. That calls for some likely regression.
Put it this way Miss St. lost their DC to Florida. That will likely cause them to fall of a bit. Why would this be any different for Sparty as by all indications it was Narduzzi's system they were running?
January 2nd, 2015 at 1:23 PM ^
I think you guys are smoking the Dumbtonio weed. Really ... the idea that the next guy is going to be all big ten is crazy. Seriously ... they lose most of their best players.
Baylor had them beat. They simply didn't finish. OSU, Oregon, and Baylor for 50 mins all crushed this team. Good wins??? Nebraska, come on.
They lose their top 2 RBs, 2 OL, their #1, an 2 WRs. They're underranked DE in Rush, Calhoun (likely), MLB, and their best Safety and the CB in the country. I actually like that Cook is coming back ... he's a mess. And now without quality Lippett and Mumphrey ....
Oregon is going to crush them .... much like osu did this year in their own house. I think western is going to give them a game. At osu is a loss.
6-6 ... mark it down.
January 2nd, 2015 at 2:28 PM ^
January 2nd, 2015 at 2:50 PM ^
January 2nd, 2015 at 2:51 PM ^
Wait, who is smoking? It's obvious you didn't watch any MSU games this year. MSU lead Oregon until 4 minutes were left in the 3rd quarter. They were down 4 points to OSU with 8 minutes left in the 3rd quarter. Dominated for 50 minutes? Get serious. In case you missed it....they just beat the 5th ranked team in the country and their only 2 losses were to the #1 and #2 teams in the country. You = moran.
January 2nd, 2015 at 2:45 PM ^
Salem has already said he is staying at MSU next year. He turned down Narduzzi for the OC job. Surprising. But said he likes being at MSU and with Dantonio that much.
January 3rd, 2015 at 1:36 PM ^
I have to say that the poster Space Coyote has an unbiased, incisive and detailed knowledge of MSU's roster, even more than some MSU posters.
Good thread here