Spartan Football Coaching Staff Appoints 2004 Captains

Aug. 10, 2004

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State second-year head coach John L. Smith and his coaching staff have appointed four captains for the upcoming 2004 season: junior wide receiver Kyle Brown, senior BANDIT Tyrell Dortch, senior free safety Jason Harmon and senior MIKE linebacker Ronald Stanley. Smith introduced the captains at a team meeting Tuesday night (Aug. 10) as the Spartans prepare to open preseason football camp Wednesday, Aug. 11. "These four players have taken ownership of this football team," Coach Smith said. "They have been personally accountable for their actions both on and off the field. These guys have displayed great work ethic and a blue-collar attitude. These players really deserved to be congratulated because they're committed to doing things the right way." The 6-foot-1, 208-pound Brown enters his second season as Michigan State's starting flanker. He saw action in 12 games in 2003, including seven starts (vs. Rutgers, Louisiana Tech, Notre Dame, Iowa, Indiana, Penn State and Nebraska). Brown, who caught at least one pass in 11 games, ranked fifth on the team in receptions with 29 for 481 yards (16.6 avg.) and three touchdowns. He caught three passes for a career-best 126 yards vs. Penn State, including an 80-yard TD toss from Jeff Smoker. Brown scored on a 21-yard TD strike from Smoker vs. Wisconsin. He had three catches for 80 yards in the 2003 season opener vs. Western Michigan, including a 59-yard TD grab from Smoker. The West Bloomfield, Mich., native earned CoSIDA Academic All-District IV (second team) and Academic All-Big Ten honors in 2003.

Kyle Brown finished fifth on the team in receptions with 29 for 481 yards and three TDs in 2003.

"Kyle Brown faces perhaps the greatest challenge on offense because there aren't a lot of seniors listed on the two deep," Smith said. "Kyle has certainly separated himself from the pack on that side of the ball, standing head and shoulders above the rest. He has accepted complete accountability - in the classroom, weight room, campus community and practice field." Dortch, a fifth-year senior from Hoboken, N.J., made the transition from running back to the BANDIT position during spring drills. He saw action in 10 games in 2003, including two starts at running back (vs. Western Michigan and Rutgers), and ranked second on the team in rushing with 279 yards on 65 carries (4.3 avg.) and scored three TDs. The 5-10, 208-pound Dortch gained 50 yards on 11 attempts vs. Penn State, including a 14-yard TD run off a counter-draw play. He rushed for 35 yards and two TDs on six carries vs. Illinois. Dortch picked up 64 yards on 13 carries vs. Notre Dame. He accounted for a career-high 96 all-purpose yards in the 2003 season opener vs. Western Michigan, including a career-high 16 carries for 58 yards and three catches for 38 yards. Dortch, who sat out the entire 2002 campaign, completed a courageous comeback after breaking his right lower leg in the sixth game of the 2001 season vs. Wisconsin. "Tyrell Dortch has overcome a tremendous amount of adversity over the last two years," Smith said. "Tyrell sustained a terrible injury (broken leg vs. Wisconsin) in 2001 and worked his way back into the playing rotation at running back in 2003. He has cleared numerous physical and mental hurdles along the way. Last spring, Tyrell made the transition from running back to the BANDIT position. He's the ultimate team player. Tyrell also took on additional course work to maintain his eligibility, without seeking a special petition. "Having played running back just a year ago, we believe Tyrell can cross over and provide some leadership on that side of the ball as well. Tyrell can be the perfect mentor for Kyle."

Jason Harmon led the Spartans in tackles (108), interceptions (3 for 74 yards), forced fumbles (4) and defensive production points (159) in 2003.

The 5-11, 202-pound Harmon ranks as Michigan State's most experienced player in the defensive backfield, with 22 career starts. The honorable mention All-Big Ten selection started all 13 games in 2003, including the first nine at free safety and the last four at strong safety. Harmon led the Spartans in tackles (career-best 108: 64 solos, 44 assists), interceptions (3 for 74 yards), forced fumbles (4) and defensive production points (159). He finished second on the team with 10 pass break-ups. The Ironton, Ohio, native excelled down the stretch, averaging 9.5 tackles (76 total) over the last eight games. He produced double figures in tackles three times, including a season-high 13 stops (5-8) vs. Michigan to go along with an interception. Harmon compiled 11 tackles (7-4) vs. Minnesota. He earned Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week honors vs. Illinois after registering eight tackles (4-4), including one for a 3-yard loss, an interception and returning a fumble 52 yards for a touchdown. Harmon made 10 stops (6-4) vs. Indiana, including one for a loss. A communication major, Harmon is scheduled to earn his bachelor's degree at the conclusion of the summer session. "Jason Harmon really proved himself as a player a year ago, especially after (strong safety) Eric Smith suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-November," Smith said. "We asked Jason to step in and contribute at three positions late last year - strong safety, free safety and BANDIT - so he was forced to become the leader in the back row. The cream always rises to the top, and Jason responded to our call by leading the team in tackles."

Ronald Stanley, who has 33 career starts to his credit, needs 86 tackles in 2004 to crack MSU's all-time top 10.

The 6-0, 234-pound Stanley moves into his fourth season as a starting linebacker, his second year at the MIKE position. He needs 86 tackles in 2004 to crack MSU's all-time top 10. Stanley, who started 12 games at MIKE linebacker in 2003, ranked third on the team in tackles (career-best 101: 55 solos, 46 assists) and seventh in production points (115). He produced double figures in tackles five times. The Saginaw, Mich., native reached double digits in tackles in four-straight games: 10 vs. Ohio State (6-4), 13 vs. Michigan (7-6), career-best 16 vs. Minnesota (6-10) and 12 vs. Illinois (6-6). Stanley registered 10 tackles (5-5) vs. Notre Dame, including one for a loss, and forced a fumble. "Ronald Stanley is a no nonsense guy that his teammates naturally gravitate toward," Smith said. "He has led by example in the past. Having served as a captain in 2003, we expect Ronald to feel more comfortable in assuming a more vocal role." Michigan State opens the 2004 season Saturday, Sept. 4 at Rutgers. ABC Sports will televise the game on a regional basis with kickoff set for 3:30 p.m. EDT.

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Players Mentioned

Kyle Brown

Tyrell Dortch

Jason Harmon

Eric Smith

Ronald Stanley

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