Whitticker, Stanley Named Freshman All-Americans

Jan. 3, 2002

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State offensive guard William Whitticker has been named first-team Freshman All-American by the Football News while Spartan linebacker Ronald Stanley has earned second-team honors from the same publication. The Football News, published in Miami, announced its Freshman All-America Teams in its Jan. 5 issue.

"This is a great honor for William Whitticker and Ronald Stanley," MSU head coach Bobby Williams said. "Both players had productive rookie seasons but they need to realize the importance of building upon what they accomplished this season. They'll be reminded throughout the off-season that this is only a start and that there's still plenty of room for improvement.

"Will improved each and every week. By the end of the season, he had developed into one of our best offensive linemen. During the off-season, he needs to develop his upper- and lower-body strength so he can take his play to another level in 2002.

"Ronald is an excellent athlete. He runs well and has good instincts as a linebacker. Ronald did a lot of good things as a true freshman, but he needs to become bigger and stronger during the off-season so he can have an even greater impact as a sophomore.

Whitticker, a 6-foot-6, 299-pound red-shirt freshman, started 11 of 12 games at right guard in 2001. The Marion, Ind., native saved his best for last, grading out over 90 percent in six of his final seven starts, including the last five games in a row. Whitticker scored a season-high 97 percent in Michigan State's 44-35 victory over No. 20 Fresno State in the Silicon Valley Football Classic, including seven pancakes. He also produced high marks vs. Missouri (95 percent), Penn State (94), Purdue (91), Indiana (94), Wisconsin (94) and Central Michigan (93). Whitticker ranked third on the team in pancakes with 63, including a season-high 10 knockdowns vs. Minnesota.

"William Whitticker really improved as the season progressed," Spartan offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland said. "His greatest improvement came in his pass protection. In fact, Will didn't allow a sack over the last five games. He became a more physical player during the second half of the season and played with a great deal of confidence down the stretch. Will is certainly deserving of this recognition but there's also a lot of room for improvement next year."

Stanley, a 6-0, 219-pound true freshman, started 11 of 12 games at WILL linebacker. The Saginaw, Mich., native recorded 43 tackles (22 solos, 21 assists) in 2001, including three for losses (6 yards). Stanley produced a season-high seven stops each vs. Purdue (2-5) and Notre Dame (4-3). He registered a tackle for loss in each of the last three regular-season games, including sacks in back-to-back games against Purdue and Penn State. Stanley also forced two fumbles, including one in the Silicon Valley Football Classic vs. Fresno State.

"Ronald Stanley had an excellent freshman year," Spartan linebacker coach Sal Sunseri said. "He started all but one game as a true freshman and played an instrumental role in our wins over Notre Dame, Michigan and Missouri. Ronald has the ability to be a big-time contributor on our defense for the next three years."

Last month, Whitticker and Stanley were selected second-team Freshman All-Americans by The Sporting News.