Michigan State University Athletics
Football Holds Draft to Select Green-White Roster
4/19/2016 12:00:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Sides were chosen for the annual Green-White spring football game with a player draft Tuesday afternoon at the Clara Bell Smith Center Auditorium. The seniors, who were selected earlier by the coaches, drafted the underclassmen position by position until the roster was completed.
Co-defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel leads the Green coaching staff, while quarterbacks coach Brad Salem heads the White.
The seniors drafting the Green team were WR Paul Andrie, S Demetrious Cox, PK Kevin Cronin, PK Michael Geiger, CB Darian Hicks, OL Kodi Kieler, DL Damon Knox, TE Jamal Lyles, OT Miguel Machado, WR Matt Macksood, WR Monty Madaris, OL Benny McGowan and QB Tyler O'Connor.
The White roster was picked by WR Edward Barksdale III, LB Riley Bullough, OG Brandon Clemons, LB Ed Davis, CB Jermaine Edmondson, DE Evan Jones, CB Mark Meyers, TE Josiah Price, WR R.J. Shelton, RB Nick Tompkins and FB/RB Delton Williams.
The draft began with the White team selecting Brian Allen with the first pick at offensive line. It marked the second consecutive year Allen was the first player chosen in the draft.
The first picks at the other positions included Matt Sokol (Green/tight ends), Malik McDowell (Green/defensive ends), Vayante Copeland (White/defensive backs), Jon Reschke (Green/linebackers), Donnie Corley (White/wide receivers), Brian Lewerke (Green/quarterbacks), LJ Scott (White/running backs) and Jake Hartbarger (Green/punters).
"I think everyone always like to choose up their teams," said MSU head coach Mark Dantonio, who served as the commissioner of the draft. "I guess that's sort of natural in any athletic contest. They'd rather choose them sometimes than the coaches, so it's always good to get (the players) involved and empower them."
Following the draft, the Spartans held their 13th practice of the spring on the John and Becky Duffey Practice Field. Oklahoma head coach Bob Stoops, a longtime friend of Coach Dantonio, visited practice on Tuesday to observe the Spartans.
"Mark and I have been friends way back to when we graduate assistants," said Stoops. "It's been a friendship for over 30 years probably. I have great respect for the way Mark coaches, and all of his coaches. I have great respect for the program and the way they've won. So it's just fun to share ideas. I wanted to see their practice, and you compare notes to how you're practicing and see some of the things you can do better. It's been a very productive couple of days for me."
Saturday's Green-White intrasquad game is set for a 3 p.m. start in Spartan Stadium. Admission to the game is free. Stadium gates (Gates B, C, E, J and K) open at 1:30 p.m.
Parking is also free in Lots 63E/W, 67, 39/40, 41; Ramps 2, 5 and 7. Lot 62W has been reserved for disabled parking. Parking lots open at 10 a.m.
Prior to the spring game, MSU's coaching staff and players will conduct a free youth football clinic, sponsored by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Children, ages 8-12, are invited to attend the youth clinic (no registration required) from 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Parking Lots 79 and 56 will open at 9 a.m. for clinic participants. Last April, an all-time record 1,718 children participated in the annual youth football clinic.
Clinic participants will be assigned by age to a practice field to rotate through all drills (8-year-olds: Duffy Daugherty Football Building indoor facility; 9- and 10-year-olds: John and Becky Duffey Football Practice Fields; 11-year-olds: Ralph Young Field; 12-year-olds: Forest Akers Trust Practice Complex on Munn Field). After completion of all drills, Coach Dantonio will address all youth clinic participants on the John and Becky Duffey Football Practice Fields, located off of Shaw Lane. The children will be dismissed from that location following Dantonio's comments at approximately 12:30 p.m.
For more information on the spring game, click here.
