Michigan State University Athletics
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2019 Season Outlook and Position Previews
8/8/2019 4:31:00 PM | Football
With preseason camp in full swing, msuspartans.com takes a position-by-position look at the 2019 Spartans.
SPARTAN FOOTBALL NOTES
• Michigan State has plenty of experience returning in 2019, as a total of 50 letterwinners and 17 position starters will be back for the Spartans. A total of 37 players returning have starting experience (17 offense, 14 defense, six special teams). Out of a combined 286 possible starting positions in 2018 on offense and defense throughout the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 212 of those starts (74 percent). MSU's 17 position starters returning rank tied for second most in the FBS and the 20 starters overall, including three specialists (P, PK, LS), rank tied for first in the country.
• On defense, the Spartans return 20 letterwinners and eight starters from a unit that finished ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense (77.9 ypg), No. 8 in scoring defense (17.2 ppg) and No. 10 in total defense (303.2 ypg). Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 105 of those starts (73 percent). Five of those eight returning starters started in all 13 games last season (LB Joe Bachie, S David Dowell, DT Mike Panasiuk, NT Raequan Williams, DE Kenny Willekes), while linebacker Tyriq Thompson started 12 games and defensive end Jacub Panasiuk started 11 games.
• The Spartans will welcome nine starters back on offense, including two-year starting quarterback Brian Lewerke, leading rusher Connor Heyward and the top two receiving leaders in Darrell Stewart and Cody White. MSU returns 100 percent of its passing yards from the quarterback position, 81 percent of its rushing yards and 76 percent of its receiving yards. Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 107 of those starts (75 percent).
• The Spartans return five seniors on defense who have earned All-Big Ten honors in their careers, including first-team All-American and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Kenny Willekes, who led the conference with 20.5 tackles for loss in 2018. First-team All-Big Ten linebacker Joe Bachie has led the team in tackles the past two seasons (100 in 2017, 102 in 2018) and returns for his third year as the starting middle linebacker. Both Bachie and Willekes have earned numerous preseason All-America accolades and have been named to multiple award watch lists.
• Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams were key reasons why MSU featured the top-ranked rushing defense in the country in 2018. The duo has started 29 consecutive games alongside each other, dating back to the 2016 season, and the streak will continue into 2019. Panasiuk was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by Pro Football Focus after collecting a career-high six tackles for loss as a junior, while Williams racked up career bests in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (10.5) to pick up first-team All-Big Ten honors by The Associated Press.
• David Dowell, a first-team All-Big Ten safety in 2017, will return for his third year as a starter in 2019. He already has seven career interceptions and has started 23 consecutive games. In addition, the Spartans will welcome back cornerback Josiah Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American who had to sit out the first eight games of 2018 with a knee injury but still was incredibly successful in his five games back in action as a sophomore, including a performance in the Redbox Bowl (four pass break-ups, 8-yard tackle for loss) that earned him Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors.
• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 85-34 (.714) since the beginning of the 2010 season. The 85 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 13th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. During that span, MSU has won five bowl games (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton, 2017 Holiday), three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). MSU's .714 winning percentage this decade is third best in school history. MSU was the only school to finish in the top-six of the national polls from 2013-15 (No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015) and the 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program.
• In addition, the Spartans have earned 11 bowl bids since 2007, including a school-record four consecutive bowl victories (2012 Outback against No. 18 Georgia, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings against TCU, 2014 Rose Bowl Game against No. 5 Stanford, 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 4 Baylor), which also tied a Big Ten record.
QUICK LOOK AT THE 2019 SCHEDULE
• Four of MSU's first five games in 2019 will be in Spartan Stadium, including the season opener on Friday, Aug. 30 vs. Tulsa. MSU also hosts Western Michigan on Sept. 7 and Arizona State on Sept. 14. After the Big Ten opener at Northwestern on Sept. 21, MSU returns to campus for Homecoming on Sept. 28 to face Indiana.
• Following back-to-back road games at Ohio State (Oct. 5) and Wisconsin (Oct. 12), the Spartans have a bye and will then host Penn State on Oct. 26. After a second bye weekend, MSU will also take on Illinois (Nov. 9) in East Lansing before traveling to Michigan (Nov. 16) and Rutgers (Nov. 23). Senior Day will be Nov. 30 in the regular-season finale against Maryland in Spartan Stadium.
• Michigan State will face seven teams on its 2019 schedule that appeared in bowl games last season, including two of its three nonconference opponents (Sept. 7 vs. Western Michigan, Sept. 14 vs. Arizona State). Spartan Big Ten opponents Northwestern (Sept. 21), Ohio State (Oct. 5), Wisconsin (Oct. 12), Penn State (Oct. 26) and Michigan (Nov. 16) also played in bowl games last season.
• Michigan State's 2019 season opener against Tulsa is set for Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. This marks the eighth time in the last nine years that the Spartans will open on a Friday night. The Spartans are 7-0 in their previous Friday night games under Dantonio.
• Now in the fourth year of the nine-game Big Ten Conference schedule, MSU has four home games and five road games in 2019. MSU will open Big Ten play at Northwesten on Sept. 21 and will also travel to Ohio State (Oct. 5), Wisconsin (Oct. 12), Michigan (Nov. 16) and Rutgers (Nov. 23). The Spartans will host Indiana on Homecoming Sept. 28, Penn State on Oct. 26, Illinois on Nov. 9 and Maryland on Nov. 30. MSU will play Northwestern, Wisconsin and Illinois from the Big Ten West Division in 2019. Â
• Michigan State will be looking for its ninth win in 12 tries against Michigan on Nov. 16 in Ann Arbor. The Spartans have won eight of their last 11 meetings over the Wolverines, including two straight in Michigan Stadium. MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 4-1 against Michigan in Ann Arbor.
HEAD COACH MARK DANTONIO NOTES
• Now in his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 107-51 (.677) record. Dantonio has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (five) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with 11 bowl appearances. He is the only active Big Ten coach to win multiple Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), claim a victory in the Rose Bowl (2014), and coach in the College Football Playoff (2015).
• The second-winningest coach in school history with 107 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.657, 65-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (65), home wins (63) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.677). Dantonio has 10 winning seasons in his 12 years in East Lansing, including a school-record 11 bowl bids.
• Dantonio's incredible run at Michigan State ranks among the best in Big Ten history. Dantonio is one of just six Big Ten coaches to have at least six 10-win seasons on their resume (Bo Schembechler, Michigan; Jim Tressel, Ohio State; Joe Paterno, Penn State; Lloyd Carr, Michigan; Urban Meyer, Ohio State) and one of four to have at least five 11-win seasons (Tressel, Paterno, Meyer).
• Dantonio is one of just 14 coaches in Big Ten history to record 100 victories. He is currently No. 14 in Big Ten history with 107 wins.
• Overall, Dantonio owns a 125-68 (.648) record in 15 seasons as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 107-51 in 12 seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 125 career wins rank 10th among active FBS coaches and second most in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz; 164).
• Dantonio won his 71st game at MSU on Oct. 25, 2014, against Michigan to move into second place all-time in victories in school history (record: Duffy Daugherty, 109). Dantonio won his 100th career game as a head coach on Oct. 17, 2015, at Michigan Stadium as the Spartans rallied to defeat the Wolverines, 27-23, on a 38-yard fumble return as time expired. His career record stands at 125-68 (.648) in 15 seasons.
• Dantonio's .657 winning percentage (65-34) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72), which also ranks 12th in Big Ten history.
• Dantonio led the Spartans to the 2015 Big Ten Championship with a 16-13 victory over previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Iowa. It marked Dantonio's third Big Ten Championship (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing a school record (previous: Daugherty and George Perles with two each).
• Dantonio became the first coach in Big Ten history to record five 11-win seasons in a six-year span (11 in 2010; 11 in 2011; 13 in 2013, 11 in 2014; 12 in 2015), and his five 11-win seasons are tied with Joe Paterno of Penn State for third most in Big Ten history (Urban Meyer of Ohio State with seven; Jim Tressel of Ohio State with six; Paterno with five at Penn State as Big Ten member). Prior to Dantonio's arrival, MSU had not recorded an 11-win season in its history, and had just two 10-win seasons (1965, 1999).
SPARTAN COACHING STAFF UPDATES
• MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has repeatedly stressed the importance of continuity on his coaching staff as one of the main reasons for Michigan State's success during his tenure. Three of MSU's nine assistant coaches have been at MSU since Dantonio's arrival in 2007 (tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Mark Staten, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel, quarterbacks coach Dave Warner). Those three also coached under Dantonio at Cincinnati. Dantonio, Staten and Tressel have been on the same staff since 2004.
• Following the 2018 season, Dantonio announced a restructuring of his coaching staff for the 2019 campaign. Brad Salem, who is entering his 10th season under Dantonio at MSU, was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Spartans. Salem spent his first three seasons in East Lansing as the running backs coach and has been the quarterbacks coach the last six years. A former Division II head coach at Augustana (S.D.) for five seasons from 2005-09, Salem will also return to coaching the running backs, where he previously mentored All-Big Ten players Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker.
• Dave Warner will return to coaching the quarterbacks, where he first started at MSU from 2007-12, after serving as co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach from 2013-18. Jim Bollman will make the switch from co-offensive coordinator and coaching tight ends to the offensive line, while Mark Staten, who has been on Dantonio's coaching staff the past 15 seasons, will rejoin the tight ends room and also add duties of special teams coordinator. Don Treadwell, who served as Dantonio's offensive coordinator for three seasons (2004-06) at Cincinnati and four years (2007-10) at Michigan State, will return to the offense coaching the wide receivers. Treadwell rejoined the Spartan staff in 2018 as an assistant defensive backs coach while mentoring the freshmen. Terrence Samuel, the wide receivers coach from 2011-18, will transition into the role that Treadwell had last season on the defensive side of the ball.
• Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel, who helped direct the No. 1 rushing defense in the nation in 2018 and was nominated for the Broyles Award, has added the title of assistant head coach for the 2019 season. The rest of the defensive staff (Chuck Bullough, defensive ends; Ron Burton, defensive tackles; Paul Haynes, secondary) will remain in their same roles. Bullough and Burton were named the 2018 national defensive line coaches of the year by Football Scoop.
2019 SPARTAN CAPSULE
Lettermen Lost: 20 (10 offense, 9 defense, 1 specialist)
Lettermen Returning: 50 (24 offense, 20 defense, 6 specialists)
Starters Lost: 6 (3 offense, 3 defense, 0 specialists)
Starters Returning: 21 (9 offense, 8 defense, 4 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost (3): WR Felton Davis, RB LJ Scott*, TE Matt Sokol
Offensive Starters Returning (9): C Matt Allen, LT Cole Chewins, RB Connor Heyward*, LG Tyler Higby, RG Kevin Jarvis, QB Brian Lewerke, RT Jordan Reid, WR Darrell Stewart, WR Cody White
* counting LJ Scott and Connor Heyward as split starters at RB
Defensive Starters Lost (3): LB Andrew Dowell, CB Justin Layne, S Khari Willis
Defensive Starters Returning (8): LB Joe Bachie, S David Dowell, CB Josiah Scott, DE Jacub Panasiuk, DT Mike Panasiuk, LB Tyriq Thompson, DE Kenny Willekes, NT Raequan Williams
Starting Specialists Lost (0): -
Starting Specialists Returning (4): SN Ryan Armour, PK Matt Coghlin, KO Cole Hahn, P Jake Hartbarger
PERSONNEL BRIEFING: OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Letterwinners returning (2):
• #14 Brian Lewerke (3L, Sr.-5, 6-3, 216, Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle)
(11 games/10 starts, 184-of-339 passing (.543), 2,040 yards, 8 TDs, 11 INTs)
• #12 Rocky Lombardi (1L, So., 6-3, 217, Clive, Iowa/Valley)
(8 games/3 starts, 68-of-154 passing (.442), 738 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs)
Letterwinners lost (1):
• Mickey Macius (1L, two-year graduate transfer walk-on)
Fifth-year senior and two-year starter Brian Lewerke returns for the Spartans in 2019. Lewerke, who led the Spartans to a 10-3 record and a No. 15 AP ranking in 2017, has started 25 times (15-10 record) in his career and enters his final season ranked among the school's all-time leaders in total offense (fifth with 6,106 yards), pass attempts (sixth with 813), completions (eighth with 461), passing yards (ninth with 5,214) and passing touchdowns (ninth with 30). As a sophomore, he became the first Spartan quarterback to throw for more than 2,500 yards (2,973) and rush for more than 500 yards (559) in the same season and set MSU sophomore records for total offense (3,352 yards), passing yards (2,973), passing attempts (417) and passing completions (246); in addition, his 3,352 yards of total offense were the second most in school history. The Phoenix, Arizona, native also set MSU single-game records in 2017 at Northwestern for total offense (475) and passing yards (445).
Although he led a fourth-quarter comeback victory at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13, Lewerke suffered a shoulder injury against the Nittany Lions that affected him the remainder of the season. Lewerke missed three starts (Purdue, Nebraska, Rutgers) due to his injury but returned to action in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon. He finished the 2018 season ranked ninth in the Big Ten in passing (2,040 yards; 185.5 ypg) and 10th in total offense (2,224 yards; 202.2 ypg).
Filling in for the injured Lewerke, Rocky Lombardi compiled a 2-1 record as the starter. He was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after leading the Spartans to a 23-13 victory over Purdue on Oct. 27 in his first career start. Lombardi threw for 318 yards against the Boilermakers and completed 26-of-46 passes, including two touchdowns (11 yards to Darrell Stewart in second quarter; 48 yards to Jalen Nailor in fourth quarter). Lombardi's 318 yards passing were the second most by a Spartan QB making his first career start (Ed Smith threw for 324 yards in his first career start at North Carolina State in 1976).
Lombardi started the final two games of the regular season at Nebraska on Nov. 17 and against Rutgers on Nov. 24 in Spartan Stadium. In his second career start at quarterback vs. Nebraska on Nov. 17, Lombardi collected 199 yards of total offense. He completed 15-of-41 passes for 146 yards and ran for a career-high 53 yards on nine carries (5.9 avg.) against the Huskers. In the win over Rutgers, Lombardi was 19-of-43 for 173 yards with one TD and one interception. Lombardi played quarterback in seven games (eight games overall; punted once in an emergency situation at Arizona State). He was 68-of-154 (.442) passing for 738 yards, three TDs and three interceptions. Redshirt freshman Theo Day and incoming freshman Payton Thorne will also provide depth at quarterback.
RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS
Letterwinners returning (3):
• #11 RB Connor Heyward (2L, Jr., 6-0, 233, Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge)
(13 games/8 starts, 118 carries, 529 yards, 4.5 avg., 5 TDs)
• #15 RB La'Darius Jefferson (1L, So., 6-1, 229, Columbia, Miss./Muskegon)
(11 games, 78 carries, 255 yards, 3.3 avg., 2 TDs)
• #48 FB Max Rosenthal (1L, So., 6-2, 262, Winnetka, Ill./New Trier Township, 8 games)
Letterwinners lost (3):
• FB Ben Line (1L, Two-year graduate transfer walk-on)
• FB Collin Lucas (2L, 5 games/2 starts)
• RB LJ Scott (5 games/5 starts, 79 carries, 264 yards, 3.3 avg., 0 TDs)
Junior Connor Heyward, a Paul Hornung Award finalist who was thrust into the starting tailback role in 2018 due to injuries to LJ Scott, led the Spartans in rushing as a sophomore with 529 yards (40.7 ypg) and five touchdowns on 118 carries. Heyward started eight games as Scott nursed an ankle injury throughout the 2018 season. The 6-0, 229-pound Heyward also had 32 receptions, equaling the most by a Spartan running back since Le'Veon Bell in 2012, for 249 yards, and led the team in all-purpose yards (1,065) and kickoff return yards (287). Heyward, who received MSU's Downtown Coaches Club Award for most outstanding player on offense, ran for a career-high 157 yards and two touchdowns in the win at Maryland on Nov. 3.
Sophomore La'Darius Jefferson, a high school quarterback, saw a significant amount of time in the playing rotation as a true freshman while transitioning into his new collegiate role. He carried the ball 78 times for 255 yards and two touchdowns and also had seven receptions for 29 yards. Elijah Collins, who redshirted in 2018, still played in three games and could see an increased role in 2019. Freshman Anthony Williams Jr. enrolled in January and gained valuable experience during spring practice.
At fullback, sophomore Max Rosenthal took over a majority of the reps in the second half of the season due to an injury to starter Collin Lucas. Rosenthal played 85 snaps in eight games in his role at fullback in 2018.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Letterwinners returning (9):
• #27 Weston Bridges (1L, So., 5-11, 208, Akron, Ohio/Copley)
(6 games, 16 carries, 53 yards, 3.3 avg. 0 TDs) (Moving from RB to WR in 2019)
• #21 Cam Chambers (2L, Jr., 6-2, 219, Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Regional)
(11 games, 19 catches, 264 yards, 13.9 avg., 0 TDs, 24.0 ypg)
• #4 C.J. Hayes (1L, So., 6-1, 206, Bowling Green, Ky./South Warren)
(6 games, 1 catch, 13 yards)
• #8 Jalen Nailor (1L, So., 6-0, 191, Palmdale, Calif./Bishop Gorman)
(8 games/1 start, 8 catches, 138 yards, 17.2 avg., 0 TDs, 17.2 ypg)
• #13 Laress Nelson (2L, Jr., 5-8, 179, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage)
(8 games, 12 catches, 114 yards, 9.7 avg., 0 TDs, 12.7 ypg)
• #16 Brandon Sowards (3L, Sr.-6, 6-0, 191, Wyandotte, Mich./Roosevelt)
(13 games/4 starts, 18 catches, 201 yards, 11.2 avg., 0 TDs, 15.5 ypg)
• #25 Darrell Stewart Jr. (2L, Jr., 6-2, 216, Houston, Texas/Nimitz)
(13 games/4 starts, 50 catches, 501 yards, 10.0 avg., 2 TDs, 38.5 ypg)
• #83 Andre Welch (1L, Jr., 5-9, 175, East Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood)
(5 games/1 start, 0 catches, 2 carries, 11 yards)
• #7 Cody White (2L, Jr., 6-3, 215, Novi, Mich./Walled Lake Western)
(9 games/8 starts, 42 catches, 555 yards, 13.2 avg., 2 TDs, 61.7 ypg)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• Felton Davis III (4L, 7 games/7 starts, 31 catches, 474 yards, 15.3 avg., 4 TDs, 67.7 ypg)
• Nick Krumm (2L, Jr., 5-10, 190, 13 games)
The Spartan wide receiving corps was perhaps the hardest hit of all the position groups in regard to injuries in 2018, but returns nine letterwinners and two starters as the group looks to rebound and stay healthy in 2019. Seven of the nine letterwinners missed time due to injury last fall.
The group was stripped of its heart and soul in 2018 when lone senior Felton Davis III was lost for the season in the seventh game of the year after rupturing his Achilles against Michigan on Oct. 20; the week before, Davis caught two touchdowns in the thrilling last-minute win at No. 8 Penn State, including the game-winning 25-yard TD grab with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Davis finished his career with 100 receptions for 1,450 yards and 14 TDs.
In addition to Davis' injury, Cody White was forced to miss a month in the middle of the season due to a broken hand he suffered against Central Michigan on Sept. 29. White still led the Spartans with 555 receiving yards on 42 catches in just nine games. The 6-3, 215-pound White will again be a go-to target in 2019 as he already has 77 receptions for 1,045 yards and six TDs in his first two seasons.
Darrell Stewart, who will be a fifth-year senior, led the team with 48 catches for 413 yards, but was also forced to sit out two games while battling an ankle injury. The reliable veteran from Houston, Texas, has caught a pass in 24 consecutive games and has 101 receptions for 943 yards and three TDs in 34 career games.
Although he missed five games with an injury, sophomore Jalen Nailor showed flashes of his potential during his time as a true freshman. Nailor, a former Nevada state track champion, scored three touchdowns in his limited role, including a 75-yard run at Indiana, a 48-yard reception on a flip pass vs. Purdue, and a 16-yard TD catch at Indiana. He had nine carries for 128 yards and eight catches for 138 yards, and should see an expanded role in 2019 after playing a season-high 60 snaps in the Redbox Bowl vs. Oregon.
Brandon Sowards received a sixth-year of eligibility from the NCAA after missing the entire 2017 season with a knee injury. Sowards had a career year in 2018 with 18 receptions for 201 yards and 11 punt returns for 81 yards in 13 games, including four starts.
Juniors Cam Chambers (19 catches for 264 yards) and Laress Nelson (12 for 114) saw their production increase during their sophomore seasons, while letterwinners C.J. Hayes and Andre Welch also return. Sophomore Weston Bridges, who battled back from a knee injury in 2017, saw brief action with 16 carries for 53 yards in six games as a running back, but will be making the move to wide receiver during preseason camp. Early enrollee Tre Mosley also participated during spring practice.
TIGHT ENDS
Letterwinners returning (1):
• #89 Matt Dotson (2L, Jr., 6-5, 252, Kenwood, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller)
(13 games/2 starts, 14 catches, 159 yards, 11.4 avg., 12.2 ypg)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• Chase Gianacakos (3L, 13 games/7 starts)
• MATT SOKOL (4L, 13 games/12 starts, 8 catches, 100 yards, 12.5 avg., 1 TD, 7.7 ypg)
Although the Spartans lose two-year starter Matt Sokol and three-year letterwinner Chase Gianacakos, the future is bright at tight end as junior Matt Dotson looks to take over the starting role. Dotson has 16 catches for 178 yards in his first two seasons, but his production increased significantly as a sophomore with 14 receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown.
Noah Davis, who missed the entire 2018 campaign with an injury after lettering in 2017, is healthy and participated in spring practice. Promising freshman Trenton Gillison played in two games last season but preserved his redshirt year and could see an expanded role in 2019. Senior Matt Seybert made the transition back to tight end from defensive end during spring practice.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Letterwinners returning (9):
• #64 C MATT ALLEN (2L, Jr., 6-3, 303, 10 games/7 starts at C)
• #76 OT AJ Arcuri (1L, So., 6-7, 306, 13 games)
• #66 C Blake Bueter (1L, So., 6-4, 315, 13 games/4 starts at C and 3 at RG in 2018)
• #72 OT Luke Campbell (2L, Jr., 6-5, 305, 9 games/3 starts at RG and 1 at LT)
• #56 OG Matt Carrick (1L, So., 6-4, 332, 11 games)
• #61 OT COLE CHEWINS (3L, Sr.-5, 6-8, 303, 12 games/9 starts at LT)
• #75 OG KEVIN JARVIS (2L, Jr., 6-4, 307, 9 games/7 starts at RG)
• #70 OG TYLER HIGBY (3L, Jr., 6-5, 300, 13 games/8 starts at LG, 3 at LT and 2 at C in 2018)
• #55 OT JORDAN REID (2L, Jr., 6-4, 305, 13 games/13 starts at RT)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• OG David Beedle (4L, 6 games/4 starts at LG), OL Noah Listerman (1L)
Michigan State suffered a rash of injuries on the offensive line last season and featured nine different starting combinations in 2018. The only player to start all 13 games at the same position was right tackle Jordan Reid – every other position on the offensive line had three different starters. The Spartans will look to stabilize the offensive line in 2019 as all five starters and nine letterwinners return. Seven of the letterwinners coming back have starting experience for a total of 113 starts among the group, sixth most of any offensive line in the FBS. In addition, out of a possible 65 starts on the offensive line in 2018, MSU returns 94 percent of those starts.
A pair of fifth-year seniors will lead the left side of the line. Left tackle Cole Chewins, who started every game in 2017, didn't play his first full game in 2018 until Week 6 against Penn State after battling back from an injury he suffered in preseason camp. Chewins started the final eight games last year and enters his final season with 25 career starts at left tackle under his belt. Left guard Tyler Higby showed his versatility last fall, as he was one of just two players in the FBS to start multiple games on the offensive line at three different positions (2 at C, 3 at LT, 8 at LG). Higby eventually settled in at left guard and started the final eight games of the season in the same position; he has started in 26 career games (21 at LG, 3 at LT, 2 at C). Matt Carrick, who earned his first letter in 2018 and played a season-high 35 snaps against Northwestern, adds depth at guard.
Junior Matt Allen emerged as the starting center in Week 3 against Indiana and started five times before missing three games with an injury. He became the third member of the Allen family to start at center for the Spartans, joining his brothers Jack and Brian. Blake Bueter, who earned a scholarship at the beginning of 2018, started four games at center in place of Allen after starting the previous three weeks at right guard. Bueter's durability helped the Spartans all season as the offensive line coped with injuries and it earned him the team's Jim Adams Award as the unsung hero on offense. Allen returned to the starting lineup for the final two games of the year and looks to continue his role as the starter in 2019.
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On the right side, Reid has started 13 consecutive games at right tackle and played the most offensive snaps (964) of any player on the team last season. He was named the team's most outstanding underclass lineman on offense and will be looked to as a leader entering his third season. AJ Arcuri, who primarily played special teams to earn his first letter in 2018, provides back-up at tackle.
Junior Kevin Jarvis, who already has 17 starts in his first two seasons in East Lansing, will enter his third year as the starting right guard in 2019. Jarvis earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades in 2017 as he started more games (10) on the offensive line as a freshman than any other Spartan in the Mark Dantonio era. Unfortunately, Jarvis was also bit by the injury bug in 2018 and was forced to sit out four of five games in the middle of the season; he finished with seven total starts in nine games overall but still led the team in knockdowns and dominators. Fellow junior Luke Campell, who started 12 times at right tackle in 2017 but moved inside last year and started three times at right guard, also provides veteran experience at the position.
PERSONNEL BRIEFING: DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Letterwinners returning (7):
• #86 DE Drew Beesley (1L, So., 6-2, 252, Rochester Hills, Mich./Warren De La Salle)
(10 games/1 start, 6 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 FR)
• #91 DE Jack Camper (1L, So., 6-4, 258, Virginia Beach, Va./IMG Academy)
(11 games/1 start, 9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks)
• #93 NT Naquan Jones (2L, Jr., 6-4, 338, Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township)
(13 games, 26 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 PBU)
• #96 DE JACUB PANASIUK (2L, Jr., 6-3, 245, Roselle, Ill./Lake Park West)
(13 games/11 starts, 31 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FF)
• #72 DT MIKE PANASIUK (3L, Sr., 6-4, 293, Roselle, Ill./Lake Park West)
(13 games/13 starts, 25 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 3 PBUs)
• #48 DE KENNY WILLEKES (2L, Sr.-5, 6-4, 260, Rockford, Mich./NorthPointe Christian)
(13 games/13 starts, 78 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF)
• #99 NT RAEQUAN WILLIAMS (3L, Sr.-5, 6-4, 303, Chicago, Ill./DePaul College Prep)
(13 games/13 starts, 53 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 5 PBUs)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• DE Dillon Alexander (3L, 1 game, 2 tackles)
• DE Gerald Owens (3L, 13 games, 11 tackles, 0.5 TFLs)
Michigan State welcomes back all four starters from last year's defensive line that helped the Spartans rank No. 1 in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 77.9 yards per game, which was also the fifth-lowest total in school history. The group is led by defensive ends coach Chuck Bullough and defensive tackles coach Ron Burton, who were named the national co-defensive line coaches of the year in 2018 by FootballScoop.
Fifth-year senior Kenny Willekes, who was named the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-American by The Athletic, led the conference with 20.5 tackles for loss, second most in an MSU season, and also recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks. The highly energized Willekes led all defensive linemen in the FBS with a career-high 78 tackles, and according to Pro Football Focus, he had the most quarterback hits (23) and second-most QB pressures (72) of any edge rusher in the FBS. Unfortunately, Willekes suffered a broken fibula in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon, but will be fully recovered in time for the 2019 season.
A former walk-on, Willekes has racked up 151 tackles, 35 tackles for loss (126 yards) and 15.5 sacks (88 yards) in just two seasons as the starter. He already ranks ninth in MSU history tackles for loss (35) and 10th in sacks (15.5). Willekes also picked up first-team All-Big Ten accolades and second-team All-America recognition from the Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. At the Spartan Football Awards banquet on Nov. 25, Willekes was named the recipient of the Governor's Award (MVP), becoming the first Spartan defensive end to win the honor since its inception in 1931.
Opposite of Willekes on the end will be junior Jacub Panasiuk, who collected 31 tackles, including 4.5 for loss with two sacks, in his first year as a starter last season. Sophomore Jack Camper and junior Drew Beesley also return as letterwinners for the Spartans and will provide depth at defensive end.
On the interior, Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams were key reasons why MSU featured the top-ranked rushing defense in the country in 2018. The duo has started 29 consecutive games alongside each other, dating back to the 2016 season, and the streak will continue into 2019. Panasiuk was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by Pro Football Focus after collecting a career-high six tackles for loss as a junior, while Williams racked up career bests in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (10.5) to pick up first-team All-Big Ten accolades by The Associated Press.
Two-year letterwinner Naquan Jones, who recorded 4.5 tackles for loss with two sacks and 26 stops overall, will provide back-up behind Williams. In addtion, redshirt freshman Jacob Slade could see time on the inside of the defensive line.
LINEBACKERS
Letterwinners returning (6):
• #35 JOE BACHIE (3L, Sr., 6-2, 231, Brook Park, Ohio/Berea-Midpark)
(13 games/13 starts, 102 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 1 FR, 3 FF)
• #26 Brandon Bouyer-Randle (2L, Jr., 6-2, 229, Battle Creek, Mich./Battle Creek Central)
(13 games/1 start, 21 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 FR, 2 FF)
• #45 Noah Harvey (1L, So., 6-3, 229, Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead, 12 games, 2 tackles)
• #37 Dante Razzano (1L, Jr., 6-2, 227, Niles, Mich./Edwardsburg, 13 games)
• #34 Antjuan Simmons (2L, So., 6-0, 216, Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer)
(13 games, 34 tackles, 1.5 TFLs)
• #17 TYRIQ THOMPSON (3L, Sr.-5, 6-1, 228, Detroit, Mich./King)
(12 games/12 starts, 31 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 FR)
Letterwinners lost (4):
• Byron Bullough (4L, 13 games, 4 tackles)
• ANDREW DOWELL (4L, 13 games/13 starts, 97 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 9 PBUs)
• Grayson Miller (4L, 13 games, 9 tackles)
• Jon Reschke (4L, 13 games, 33 tackles, 6 TFLs, 0.5 sacks)
Michigan State will be led once again in the middle by Joe Bachie, who will be entering his third year as the starting Mike linebacker and has been named a first-team preseason All-American by multiple media outlets. A first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2018, Bachie has led the team in tackles the past two seasons (100 in 2017, 102 in 2018). Voted a captain by his teammates, Bachie helped anchor a defense in 2018 that ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense, No. 8 in scoring defense and No. 10 in total defense. He had 8.5 tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery, and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following his performance at Maryland (seven tackles, two TFLs, three forced fumbles).
A consistent playmaker, Bachie has 214 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, seven pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 32 career games, including 26 consecutive starts. He has recorded double-digits in tackles nine times in his career.
Fifth-year senior Tyriq Thompson won the starting job last season at Sam linebacker and ended up recording career highs in tackles (31), tackles for loss (two) and fumble recoveries (two) in 12 starts. Thompson also took reps at middle linebacker during spring practice. Junior Brandon Bouyer-Randle, who has primarily seen action on third-down situations, has proven to be an effective pass rusher with five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season, and will look to see even more snaps on the field in 2019.
The Spartans have to replace three-year starting linebacker Andrew Dowell at Star linebacker, but two-year letterwinner Antjuan Simmons has gained plenty of experience his first two seasons and will look to take over the starting role as a junior in 2019. Simmons has 66 tackles in 26 career games and has played more than 400 snaps combined as a freshman and sophomore.
SECONDARY
Letterwinners returning (7):
• #29 CB Shakur Brown (1L, So., 5-10, 183, Stockbridge, Ga./Woodland)
(12 games, 6 tackles, 1 INT)
• #19 CB Josh Butler (3L, Sr.-5, 6-0, 182, Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite)
(6 games/5 starts, 10 tackles, 3 PBUs)
• #6 S DAVID DOWELL (3L, Sr.-5, 6-1, 209, North Ridgeville, Ohio/St. Edward)
(13 games/13 starts, 59 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 FF)
• #3 S Xavier Henderson (1L, So., 6-1, 203, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Pickerington Central)
(13 games, 15 tackles, 1 FF)
• #9 DB Dominique Long (2L, Jr., 6-2, 197, Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South)
(13 games, 12 tackles)
• #24 DB Tre Person (2L, Jr., 5-10, 167, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake)
(10 games/4 starts, 18 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBUs, 1 FF)
• #22 CB JOSIAH SCOTT (2L, Jr., 5-10, 171, Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield)
(5 games/5 starts, 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 7 PBUs)
Letterwinners lost (3):
• CB JUSTIN LAYNE (3L, 12 games/12 starts, 72 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, 1 INT, 15 PBUs)
• S Matt Morrissey (4L, 13 games, 29 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 PBU)
• S KHARI WILLIS (4L, 13 games/13 starts, 84 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 10 PBUs, 1 FF)
Michigan State returns a pair of starters in the secondary that have earned All-Big Ten honors during their careers and are on national award watch lists entering the 2019 season.
Fifth-year senior David Dowell, who has started 23 consecutive games at safety, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2017 after leading the team with five interceptions, and garnered third-team all-conference accolades as a junior in 2018 with a career-high 59 tackles to go along with a pair of interceptions. Dowell's leadership will be counted on in the back end of the secondary as the Spartans lost two-year starter and 2018 captain Khari Willis to graduation and the NFL. Sophomore Xavier Henderson played in all 13 games a true freshman, including 141 snaps on defense, and will compete for the starting role left vacated by Willis.
Although he missed the first eight games of the season with a knee injury in 2018, Josiah Scott still showed why he's one of the best cornerbacks in the nation in the last five games of the year, recording seven pass break-ups, two interceptions and 13 tackles. He was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after picking off a career-high two passes in the win over Rutgers, and earned Redbox Bowl Defensive MVP honors with a career-best four pass break-ups and three tackles vs. Oregon, including one for a loss of 8 yards. Scott was a Freshman All-American in 2017 after collecting 30 tackles, 10 pass break-ups and two interceptions.
Josh Butler and Tre Person filled in for Scott during his absence the first two months of the year, sharing time as the starter opposite of Justin Layne, who decided to forgo his senior year and was a third-round NFL Draft choice by the Steelers. Butler started four of the first five games last season before missing the last seven games of the regular season with an injury; he returned to the starting lineup in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon. He has 29 tackles and six pass break-ups in 30 career games, including nine starting assignments. Person converted from safety to cornerback in 2018 and tallied 18 tackles in four starts and 10 games overall. He returned to action at safety during the spring. Junior Dominique Long and sophomore Shakur Brown also are returning letterwinners who provide depth in the secondary, along with redshirt freshmen Kalon Gervin and Davion Williams.
PERSONNEL BRIEFING: SPECIAL TEAMS
• Placekicker: A 2018 Lou Groza Award semifinalist and first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, junior Matt Coghlin ranked among the Big Ten leaders in field goals made (tied for second with 18), field-goal percentage (tied for fourth at .818) and scoring (ninth at 6.5 ppg). He made 18 of his 22 field-goal attempts in 2018 (5-of-5 from 20-29 yards; 9-of-10 from 30-39 yards; 4-of-5 from 40-49 yards; 0-2 from 50-plus yards). Coghlin opened the season with three field goals in the win over Utah State, including a season-long 49-yarder, and also had multiple field-goal outings against Arizona State (2), Northwestern (2), Purdue (3), Ohio State (2), Nebraska (2) and Oregon (2). He set a new school record with 18 consecutive field goals, dating back to 2017, before a kick was blocked in the Purdue game. That streak was also tied for the fourth longest in Big Ten history. Coghlin became the sixth Spartan placekicker to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors, and the third under Dantonio (Brett Swenson in 2009; Dan Conroy in 2012). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native currently ranks first in MSU history in field-goal percentage (33-of-41, .805).
• Punter: Jake Hartbarger received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA in 2019 after suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 2 last season at Arizona State. Hartbarger's injury led to MSU starting four punters in 2018, the most of any team in the FBS, and a total of five Spartans punted. A 2017 Ray Guy Award nominee, Hartbarger averaged 42.0 yards per punt and placed a career-high 28 punts inside the 20 to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades as a junior. He is ranked seventh in MSU history in punting average (42.1) and 10th in punts (186) and punting yards (7,833). Sophomore Tyler Hunt started five times after Hartbarger's injury, averaging 40.1 yards per punt with 15 inside the 20, but also suffered a season-ending knee injury (ACL) in late October. Bryce Baringer, a walk-on who joined the team midseason last fall, started in three games and adds depth at the position, along with freshman Jack Bouweester.
• Long Snapper: Fifth-year senior Ryan Armour returns for his second year as the starting long snapper in 2019. Armour was instrumental in the special teams unit that didn't miss a PAT and featured first-team All-Big Ten placekicker Matt Coghlin.
• Kickoff Specialist: Sophomore Cole Hahn won the starting kickoff specialist role last year and returns in 2019. He averaged 59.4 yards with 24 touchbacks on 59 kickoffs.
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SPARTAN FOOTBALL NOTES
• Michigan State has plenty of experience returning in 2019, as a total of 50 letterwinners and 17 position starters will be back for the Spartans. A total of 37 players returning have starting experience (17 offense, 14 defense, six special teams). Out of a combined 286 possible starting positions in 2018 on offense and defense throughout the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 212 of those starts (74 percent). MSU's 17 position starters returning rank tied for second most in the FBS and the 20 starters overall, including three specialists (P, PK, LS), rank tied for first in the country.
• On defense, the Spartans return 20 letterwinners and eight starters from a unit that finished ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense (77.9 ypg), No. 8 in scoring defense (17.2 ppg) and No. 10 in total defense (303.2 ypg). Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 105 of those starts (73 percent). Five of those eight returning starters started in all 13 games last season (LB Joe Bachie, S David Dowell, DT Mike Panasiuk, NT Raequan Williams, DE Kenny Willekes), while linebacker Tyriq Thompson started 12 games and defensive end Jacub Panasiuk started 11 games.
• The Spartans will welcome nine starters back on offense, including two-year starting quarterback Brian Lewerke, leading rusher Connor Heyward and the top two receiving leaders in Darrell Stewart and Cody White. MSU returns 100 percent of its passing yards from the quarterback position, 81 percent of its rushing yards and 76 percent of its receiving yards. Out of a possible 143 starting positions last season over the course of 13 games, the Spartans are returning 107 of those starts (75 percent).
• The Spartans return five seniors on defense who have earned All-Big Ten honors in their careers, including first-team All-American and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year Kenny Willekes, who led the conference with 20.5 tackles for loss in 2018. First-team All-Big Ten linebacker Joe Bachie has led the team in tackles the past two seasons (100 in 2017, 102 in 2018) and returns for his third year as the starting middle linebacker. Both Bachie and Willekes have earned numerous preseason All-America accolades and have been named to multiple award watch lists.
• Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams were key reasons why MSU featured the top-ranked rushing defense in the country in 2018. The duo has started 29 consecutive games alongside each other, dating back to the 2016 season, and the streak will continue into 2019. Panasiuk was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by Pro Football Focus after collecting a career-high six tackles for loss as a junior, while Williams racked up career bests in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (10.5) to pick up first-team All-Big Ten honors by The Associated Press.
• David Dowell, a first-team All-Big Ten safety in 2017, will return for his third year as a starter in 2019. He already has seven career interceptions and has started 23 consecutive games. In addition, the Spartans will welcome back cornerback Josiah Scott, a 2017 Freshman All-American who had to sit out the first eight games of 2018 with a knee injury but still was incredibly successful in his five games back in action as a sophomore, including a performance in the Redbox Bowl (four pass break-ups, 8-yard tackle for loss) that earned him Most Outstanding Defensive Player honors.
• Michigan State is in the midst of its winningest decade in school history based on total wins, as the Spartans are 85-34 (.714) since the beginning of the 2010 season. The 85 wins this decade are third most in the Big Ten and tied for 13th most in the NCAA Football Bowl Subdivision. During that span, MSU has won five bowl games (2012 Outback, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings, 2014 Rose, 2015 Cotton, 2017 Holiday), three Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015) and three Big Ten Division titles (2011, 2013, 2015). MSU's .714 winning percentage this decade is third best in school history. MSU was the only school to finish in the top-six of the national polls from 2013-15 (No. 3 in 2013, No. 5 in 2014, No. 6 in 2015) and the 36 wins from 2013-15 marked the winningest three-year stretch in the history of the program.
• In addition, the Spartans have earned 11 bowl bids since 2007, including a school-record four consecutive bowl victories (2012 Outback against No. 18 Georgia, 2012 Buffalo Wild Wings against TCU, 2014 Rose Bowl Game against No. 5 Stanford, 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic against No. 4 Baylor), which also tied a Big Ten record.
QUICK LOOK AT THE 2019 SCHEDULE
• Four of MSU's first five games in 2019 will be in Spartan Stadium, including the season opener on Friday, Aug. 30 vs. Tulsa. MSU also hosts Western Michigan on Sept. 7 and Arizona State on Sept. 14. After the Big Ten opener at Northwestern on Sept. 21, MSU returns to campus for Homecoming on Sept. 28 to face Indiana.
• Following back-to-back road games at Ohio State (Oct. 5) and Wisconsin (Oct. 12), the Spartans have a bye and will then host Penn State on Oct. 26. After a second bye weekend, MSU will also take on Illinois (Nov. 9) in East Lansing before traveling to Michigan (Nov. 16) and Rutgers (Nov. 23). Senior Day will be Nov. 30 in the regular-season finale against Maryland in Spartan Stadium.
• Michigan State will face seven teams on its 2019 schedule that appeared in bowl games last season, including two of its three nonconference opponents (Sept. 7 vs. Western Michigan, Sept. 14 vs. Arizona State). Spartan Big Ten opponents Northwestern (Sept. 21), Ohio State (Oct. 5), Wisconsin (Oct. 12), Penn State (Oct. 26) and Michigan (Nov. 16) also played in bowl games last season.
• Michigan State's 2019 season opener against Tulsa is set for Friday, Aug. 30 at 7 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. This marks the eighth time in the last nine years that the Spartans will open on a Friday night. The Spartans are 7-0 in their previous Friday night games under Dantonio.
• Now in the fourth year of the nine-game Big Ten Conference schedule, MSU has four home games and five road games in 2019. MSU will open Big Ten play at Northwesten on Sept. 21 and will also travel to Ohio State (Oct. 5), Wisconsin (Oct. 12), Michigan (Nov. 16) and Rutgers (Nov. 23). The Spartans will host Indiana on Homecoming Sept. 28, Penn State on Oct. 26, Illinois on Nov. 9 and Maryland on Nov. 30. MSU will play Northwestern, Wisconsin and Illinois from the Big Ten West Division in 2019. Â
• Michigan State will be looking for its ninth win in 12 tries against Michigan on Nov. 16 in Ann Arbor. The Spartans have won eight of their last 11 meetings over the Wolverines, including two straight in Michigan Stadium. MSU head coach Mark Dantonio is 4-1 against Michigan in Ann Arbor.
HEAD COACH MARK DANTONIO NOTES
• Now in his 13th season as head coach of the Spartans, Mark Dantonio owns a 107-51 (.677) record. Dantonio has won the most Big Ten Championships (three) and bowl games (five) of any Spartan head coach and also ranks first with 11 bowl appearances. He is the only active Big Ten coach to win multiple Big Ten Championships (2010, 2013, 2015), claim a victory in the Rose Bowl (2014), and coach in the College Football Playoff (2015).
• The second-winningest coach in school history with 107 victories, trailing only Hall of Famer Duffy Daugherty (109), Dantonio also ranks first in program history in conference winning percentage (.657, 65-34 record, minimum 10 games); tied for first in AP Top 25 finishes (seven); second in Big Ten wins (65), home wins (63) and AP Top 25 wins (21); and fifth in overall winning percentage (.677). Dantonio has 10 winning seasons in his 12 years in East Lansing, including a school-record 11 bowl bids.
• Dantonio's incredible run at Michigan State ranks among the best in Big Ten history. Dantonio is one of just six Big Ten coaches to have at least six 10-win seasons on their resume (Bo Schembechler, Michigan; Jim Tressel, Ohio State; Joe Paterno, Penn State; Lloyd Carr, Michigan; Urban Meyer, Ohio State) and one of four to have at least five 11-win seasons (Tressel, Paterno, Meyer).
• Dantonio is one of just 14 coaches in Big Ten history to record 100 victories. He is currently No. 14 in Big Ten history with 107 wins.
• Overall, Dantonio owns a 125-68 (.648) record in 15 seasons as a head coach (18-17 in three seasons at Cincinnati; 107-51 in 12 seasons at MSU). Dantonio's 125 career wins rank 10th among active FBS coaches and second most in the Big Ten (Kirk Ferentz; 164).
• Dantonio won his 71st game at MSU on Oct. 25, 2014, against Michigan to move into second place all-time in victories in school history (record: Duffy Daugherty, 109). Dantonio won his 100th career game as a head coach on Oct. 17, 2015, at Michigan Stadium as the Spartans rallied to defeat the Wolverines, 27-23, on a 38-yard fumble return as time expired. His career record stands at 125-68 (.648) in 15 seasons.
• Dantonio's .657 winning percentage (65-34) in Big Ten games ranks first in MSU history (minimum 10 Big Ten games). He ranks second in school history in conference wins (Duffy Daugherty, 72), which also ranks 12th in Big Ten history.
• Dantonio led the Spartans to the 2015 Big Ten Championship with a 16-13 victory over previously undefeated and fourth-ranked Iowa. It marked Dantonio's third Big Ten Championship (2010, 2013, 2015), establishing a school record (previous: Daugherty and George Perles with two each).
• Dantonio became the first coach in Big Ten history to record five 11-win seasons in a six-year span (11 in 2010; 11 in 2011; 13 in 2013, 11 in 2014; 12 in 2015), and his five 11-win seasons are tied with Joe Paterno of Penn State for third most in Big Ten history (Urban Meyer of Ohio State with seven; Jim Tressel of Ohio State with six; Paterno with five at Penn State as Big Ten member). Prior to Dantonio's arrival, MSU had not recorded an 11-win season in its history, and had just two 10-win seasons (1965, 1999).
SPARTAN COACHING STAFF UPDATES
• MSU head coach Mark Dantonio has repeatedly stressed the importance of continuity on his coaching staff as one of the main reasons for Michigan State's success during his tenure. Three of MSU's nine assistant coaches have been at MSU since Dantonio's arrival in 2007 (tight ends coach/special teams coordinator Mark Staten, assistant head coach/defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel, quarterbacks coach Dave Warner). Those three also coached under Dantonio at Cincinnati. Dantonio, Staten and Tressel have been on the same staff since 2004.
• Following the 2018 season, Dantonio announced a restructuring of his coaching staff for the 2019 campaign. Brad Salem, who is entering his 10th season under Dantonio at MSU, was promoted to offensive coordinator for the Spartans. Salem spent his first three seasons in East Lansing as the running backs coach and has been the quarterbacks coach the last six years. A former Division II head coach at Augustana (S.D.) for five seasons from 2005-09, Salem will also return to coaching the running backs, where he previously mentored All-Big Ten players Le'Veon Bell and Edwin Baker.
• Dave Warner will return to coaching the quarterbacks, where he first started at MSU from 2007-12, after serving as co-offensive coordinator and running backs coach from 2013-18. Jim Bollman will make the switch from co-offensive coordinator and coaching tight ends to the offensive line, while Mark Staten, who has been on Dantonio's coaching staff the past 15 seasons, will rejoin the tight ends room and also add duties of special teams coordinator. Don Treadwell, who served as Dantonio's offensive coordinator for three seasons (2004-06) at Cincinnati and four years (2007-10) at Michigan State, will return to the offense coaching the wide receivers. Treadwell rejoined the Spartan staff in 2018 as an assistant defensive backs coach while mentoring the freshmen. Terrence Samuel, the wide receivers coach from 2011-18, will transition into the role that Treadwell had last season on the defensive side of the ball.
• Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Mike Tressel, who helped direct the No. 1 rushing defense in the nation in 2018 and was nominated for the Broyles Award, has added the title of assistant head coach for the 2019 season. The rest of the defensive staff (Chuck Bullough, defensive ends; Ron Burton, defensive tackles; Paul Haynes, secondary) will remain in their same roles. Bullough and Burton were named the 2018 national defensive line coaches of the year by Football Scoop.
2019 SPARTAN CAPSULE
Lettermen Lost: 20 (10 offense, 9 defense, 1 specialist)
Lettermen Returning: 50 (24 offense, 20 defense, 6 specialists)
Starters Lost: 6 (3 offense, 3 defense, 0 specialists)
Starters Returning: 21 (9 offense, 8 defense, 4 specialists)
Offensive Starters Lost (3): WR Felton Davis, RB LJ Scott*, TE Matt Sokol
Offensive Starters Returning (9): C Matt Allen, LT Cole Chewins, RB Connor Heyward*, LG Tyler Higby, RG Kevin Jarvis, QB Brian Lewerke, RT Jordan Reid, WR Darrell Stewart, WR Cody White
* counting LJ Scott and Connor Heyward as split starters at RB
Defensive Starters Lost (3): LB Andrew Dowell, CB Justin Layne, S Khari Willis
Defensive Starters Returning (8): LB Joe Bachie, S David Dowell, CB Josiah Scott, DE Jacub Panasiuk, DT Mike Panasiuk, LB Tyriq Thompson, DE Kenny Willekes, NT Raequan Williams
Starting Specialists Lost (0): -
Starting Specialists Returning (4): SN Ryan Armour, PK Matt Coghlin, KO Cole Hahn, P Jake Hartbarger
PERSONNEL BRIEFING: OFFENSE
QUARTERBACKS
Letterwinners returning (2):
• #14 Brian Lewerke (3L, Sr.-5, 6-3, 216, Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle)
(11 games/10 starts, 184-of-339 passing (.543), 2,040 yards, 8 TDs, 11 INTs)
• #12 Rocky Lombardi (1L, So., 6-3, 217, Clive, Iowa/Valley)
(8 games/3 starts, 68-of-154 passing (.442), 738 yards, 3 TDs, 3 INTs)
Letterwinners lost (1):
• Mickey Macius (1L, two-year graduate transfer walk-on)
Fifth-year senior and two-year starter Brian Lewerke returns for the Spartans in 2019. Lewerke, who led the Spartans to a 10-3 record and a No. 15 AP ranking in 2017, has started 25 times (15-10 record) in his career and enters his final season ranked among the school's all-time leaders in total offense (fifth with 6,106 yards), pass attempts (sixth with 813), completions (eighth with 461), passing yards (ninth with 5,214) and passing touchdowns (ninth with 30). As a sophomore, he became the first Spartan quarterback to throw for more than 2,500 yards (2,973) and rush for more than 500 yards (559) in the same season and set MSU sophomore records for total offense (3,352 yards), passing yards (2,973), passing attempts (417) and passing completions (246); in addition, his 3,352 yards of total offense were the second most in school history. The Phoenix, Arizona, native also set MSU single-game records in 2017 at Northwestern for total offense (475) and passing yards (445).
Although he led a fourth-quarter comeback victory at No. 8 Penn State on Oct. 13, Lewerke suffered a shoulder injury against the Nittany Lions that affected him the remainder of the season. Lewerke missed three starts (Purdue, Nebraska, Rutgers) due to his injury but returned to action in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon. He finished the 2018 season ranked ninth in the Big Ten in passing (2,040 yards; 185.5 ypg) and 10th in total offense (2,224 yards; 202.2 ypg).
Filling in for the injured Lewerke, Rocky Lombardi compiled a 2-1 record as the starter. He was named the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week after leading the Spartans to a 23-13 victory over Purdue on Oct. 27 in his first career start. Lombardi threw for 318 yards against the Boilermakers and completed 26-of-46 passes, including two touchdowns (11 yards to Darrell Stewart in second quarter; 48 yards to Jalen Nailor in fourth quarter). Lombardi's 318 yards passing were the second most by a Spartan QB making his first career start (Ed Smith threw for 324 yards in his first career start at North Carolina State in 1976).
Lombardi started the final two games of the regular season at Nebraska on Nov. 17 and against Rutgers on Nov. 24 in Spartan Stadium. In his second career start at quarterback vs. Nebraska on Nov. 17, Lombardi collected 199 yards of total offense. He completed 15-of-41 passes for 146 yards and ran for a career-high 53 yards on nine carries (5.9 avg.) against the Huskers. In the win over Rutgers, Lombardi was 19-of-43 for 173 yards with one TD and one interception. Lombardi played quarterback in seven games (eight games overall; punted once in an emergency situation at Arizona State). He was 68-of-154 (.442) passing for 738 yards, three TDs and three interceptions. Redshirt freshman Theo Day and incoming freshman Payton Thorne will also provide depth at quarterback.
RUNNING BACKS/FULLBACKS
Letterwinners returning (3):
• #11 RB Connor Heyward (2L, Jr., 6-0, 233, Duluth, Ga./Peachtree Ridge)
(13 games/8 starts, 118 carries, 529 yards, 4.5 avg., 5 TDs)
• #15 RB La'Darius Jefferson (1L, So., 6-1, 229, Columbia, Miss./Muskegon)
(11 games, 78 carries, 255 yards, 3.3 avg., 2 TDs)
• #48 FB Max Rosenthal (1L, So., 6-2, 262, Winnetka, Ill./New Trier Township, 8 games)
Letterwinners lost (3):
• FB Ben Line (1L, Two-year graduate transfer walk-on)
• FB Collin Lucas (2L, 5 games/2 starts)
• RB LJ Scott (5 games/5 starts, 79 carries, 264 yards, 3.3 avg., 0 TDs)
Junior Connor Heyward, a Paul Hornung Award finalist who was thrust into the starting tailback role in 2018 due to injuries to LJ Scott, led the Spartans in rushing as a sophomore with 529 yards (40.7 ypg) and five touchdowns on 118 carries. Heyward started eight games as Scott nursed an ankle injury throughout the 2018 season. The 6-0, 229-pound Heyward also had 32 receptions, equaling the most by a Spartan running back since Le'Veon Bell in 2012, for 249 yards, and led the team in all-purpose yards (1,065) and kickoff return yards (287). Heyward, who received MSU's Downtown Coaches Club Award for most outstanding player on offense, ran for a career-high 157 yards and two touchdowns in the win at Maryland on Nov. 3.
Sophomore La'Darius Jefferson, a high school quarterback, saw a significant amount of time in the playing rotation as a true freshman while transitioning into his new collegiate role. He carried the ball 78 times for 255 yards and two touchdowns and also had seven receptions for 29 yards. Elijah Collins, who redshirted in 2018, still played in three games and could see an increased role in 2019. Freshman Anthony Williams Jr. enrolled in January and gained valuable experience during spring practice.
At fullback, sophomore Max Rosenthal took over a majority of the reps in the second half of the season due to an injury to starter Collin Lucas. Rosenthal played 85 snaps in eight games in his role at fullback in 2018.
WIDE RECEIVERS
Letterwinners returning (9):
• #27 Weston Bridges (1L, So., 5-11, 208, Akron, Ohio/Copley)
(6 games, 16 carries, 53 yards, 3.3 avg. 0 TDs) (Moving from RB to WR in 2019)
• #21 Cam Chambers (2L, Jr., 6-2, 219, Sicklerville, N.J./Timber Creek Regional)
(11 games, 19 catches, 264 yards, 13.9 avg., 0 TDs, 24.0 ypg)
• #4 C.J. Hayes (1L, So., 6-1, 206, Bowling Green, Ky./South Warren)
(6 games, 1 catch, 13 yards)
• #8 Jalen Nailor (1L, So., 6-0, 191, Palmdale, Calif./Bishop Gorman)
(8 games/1 start, 8 catches, 138 yards, 17.2 avg., 0 TDs, 17.2 ypg)
• #13 Laress Nelson (2L, Jr., 5-8, 179, Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./American Heritage)
(8 games, 12 catches, 114 yards, 9.7 avg., 0 TDs, 12.7 ypg)
• #16 Brandon Sowards (3L, Sr.-6, 6-0, 191, Wyandotte, Mich./Roosevelt)
(13 games/4 starts, 18 catches, 201 yards, 11.2 avg., 0 TDs, 15.5 ypg)
• #25 Darrell Stewart Jr. (2L, Jr., 6-2, 216, Houston, Texas/Nimitz)
(13 games/4 starts, 50 catches, 501 yards, 10.0 avg., 2 TDs, 38.5 ypg)
• #83 Andre Welch (1L, Jr., 5-9, 175, East Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood)
(5 games/1 start, 0 catches, 2 carries, 11 yards)
• #7 Cody White (2L, Jr., 6-3, 215, Novi, Mich./Walled Lake Western)
(9 games/8 starts, 42 catches, 555 yards, 13.2 avg., 2 TDs, 61.7 ypg)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• Felton Davis III (4L, 7 games/7 starts, 31 catches, 474 yards, 15.3 avg., 4 TDs, 67.7 ypg)
• Nick Krumm (2L, Jr., 5-10, 190, 13 games)
The Spartan wide receiving corps was perhaps the hardest hit of all the position groups in regard to injuries in 2018, but returns nine letterwinners and two starters as the group looks to rebound and stay healthy in 2019. Seven of the nine letterwinners missed time due to injury last fall.
The group was stripped of its heart and soul in 2018 when lone senior Felton Davis III was lost for the season in the seventh game of the year after rupturing his Achilles against Michigan on Oct. 20; the week before, Davis caught two touchdowns in the thrilling last-minute win at No. 8 Penn State, including the game-winning 25-yard TD grab with 19 seconds left in the fourth quarter. Davis finished his career with 100 receptions for 1,450 yards and 14 TDs.
In addition to Davis' injury, Cody White was forced to miss a month in the middle of the season due to a broken hand he suffered against Central Michigan on Sept. 29. White still led the Spartans with 555 receiving yards on 42 catches in just nine games. The 6-3, 215-pound White will again be a go-to target in 2019 as he already has 77 receptions for 1,045 yards and six TDs in his first two seasons.
Darrell Stewart, who will be a fifth-year senior, led the team with 48 catches for 413 yards, but was also forced to sit out two games while battling an ankle injury. The reliable veteran from Houston, Texas, has caught a pass in 24 consecutive games and has 101 receptions for 943 yards and three TDs in 34 career games.
Although he missed five games with an injury, sophomore Jalen Nailor showed flashes of his potential during his time as a true freshman. Nailor, a former Nevada state track champion, scored three touchdowns in his limited role, including a 75-yard run at Indiana, a 48-yard reception on a flip pass vs. Purdue, and a 16-yard TD catch at Indiana. He had nine carries for 128 yards and eight catches for 138 yards, and should see an expanded role in 2019 after playing a season-high 60 snaps in the Redbox Bowl vs. Oregon.
Brandon Sowards received a sixth-year of eligibility from the NCAA after missing the entire 2017 season with a knee injury. Sowards had a career year in 2018 with 18 receptions for 201 yards and 11 punt returns for 81 yards in 13 games, including four starts.
Juniors Cam Chambers (19 catches for 264 yards) and Laress Nelson (12 for 114) saw their production increase during their sophomore seasons, while letterwinners C.J. Hayes and Andre Welch also return. Sophomore Weston Bridges, who battled back from a knee injury in 2017, saw brief action with 16 carries for 53 yards in six games as a running back, but will be making the move to wide receiver during preseason camp. Early enrollee Tre Mosley also participated during spring practice.
TIGHT ENDS
Letterwinners returning (1):
• #89 Matt Dotson (2L, Jr., 6-5, 252, Kenwood, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller)
(13 games/2 starts, 14 catches, 159 yards, 11.4 avg., 12.2 ypg)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• Chase Gianacakos (3L, 13 games/7 starts)
• MATT SOKOL (4L, 13 games/12 starts, 8 catches, 100 yards, 12.5 avg., 1 TD, 7.7 ypg)
Although the Spartans lose two-year starter Matt Sokol and three-year letterwinner Chase Gianacakos, the future is bright at tight end as junior Matt Dotson looks to take over the starting role. Dotson has 16 catches for 178 yards in his first two seasons, but his production increased significantly as a sophomore with 14 receptions for 159 yards and one touchdown.
Noah Davis, who missed the entire 2018 campaign with an injury after lettering in 2017, is healthy and participated in spring practice. Promising freshman Trenton Gillison played in two games last season but preserved his redshirt year and could see an expanded role in 2019. Senior Matt Seybert made the transition back to tight end from defensive end during spring practice.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Letterwinners returning (9):
• #64 C MATT ALLEN (2L, Jr., 6-3, 303, 10 games/7 starts at C)
• #76 OT AJ Arcuri (1L, So., 6-7, 306, 13 games)
• #66 C Blake Bueter (1L, So., 6-4, 315, 13 games/4 starts at C and 3 at RG in 2018)
• #72 OT Luke Campbell (2L, Jr., 6-5, 305, 9 games/3 starts at RG and 1 at LT)
• #56 OG Matt Carrick (1L, So., 6-4, 332, 11 games)
• #61 OT COLE CHEWINS (3L, Sr.-5, 6-8, 303, 12 games/9 starts at LT)
• #75 OG KEVIN JARVIS (2L, Jr., 6-4, 307, 9 games/7 starts at RG)
• #70 OG TYLER HIGBY (3L, Jr., 6-5, 300, 13 games/8 starts at LG, 3 at LT and 2 at C in 2018)
• #55 OT JORDAN REID (2L, Jr., 6-4, 305, 13 games/13 starts at RT)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• OG David Beedle (4L, 6 games/4 starts at LG), OL Noah Listerman (1L)
Michigan State suffered a rash of injuries on the offensive line last season and featured nine different starting combinations in 2018. The only player to start all 13 games at the same position was right tackle Jordan Reid – every other position on the offensive line had three different starters. The Spartans will look to stabilize the offensive line in 2019 as all five starters and nine letterwinners return. Seven of the letterwinners coming back have starting experience for a total of 113 starts among the group, sixth most of any offensive line in the FBS. In addition, out of a possible 65 starts on the offensive line in 2018, MSU returns 94 percent of those starts.
A pair of fifth-year seniors will lead the left side of the line. Left tackle Cole Chewins, who started every game in 2017, didn't play his first full game in 2018 until Week 6 against Penn State after battling back from an injury he suffered in preseason camp. Chewins started the final eight games last year and enters his final season with 25 career starts at left tackle under his belt. Left guard Tyler Higby showed his versatility last fall, as he was one of just two players in the FBS to start multiple games on the offensive line at three different positions (2 at C, 3 at LT, 8 at LG). Higby eventually settled in at left guard and started the final eight games of the season in the same position; he has started in 26 career games (21 at LG, 3 at LT, 2 at C). Matt Carrick, who earned his first letter in 2018 and played a season-high 35 snaps against Northwestern, adds depth at guard.
Junior Matt Allen emerged as the starting center in Week 3 against Indiana and started five times before missing three games with an injury. He became the third member of the Allen family to start at center for the Spartans, joining his brothers Jack and Brian. Blake Bueter, who earned a scholarship at the beginning of 2018, started four games at center in place of Allen after starting the previous three weeks at right guard. Bueter's durability helped the Spartans all season as the offensive line coped with injuries and it earned him the team's Jim Adams Award as the unsung hero on offense. Allen returned to the starting lineup for the final two games of the year and looks to continue his role as the starter in 2019.
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On the right side, Reid has started 13 consecutive games at right tackle and played the most offensive snaps (964) of any player on the team last season. He was named the team's most outstanding underclass lineman on offense and will be looked to as a leader entering his third season. AJ Arcuri, who primarily played special teams to earn his first letter in 2018, provides back-up at tackle.
Junior Kevin Jarvis, who already has 17 starts in his first two seasons in East Lansing, will enter his third year as the starting right guard in 2019. Jarvis earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades in 2017 as he started more games (10) on the offensive line as a freshman than any other Spartan in the Mark Dantonio era. Unfortunately, Jarvis was also bit by the injury bug in 2018 and was forced to sit out four of five games in the middle of the season; he finished with seven total starts in nine games overall but still led the team in knockdowns and dominators. Fellow junior Luke Campell, who started 12 times at right tackle in 2017 but moved inside last year and started three times at right guard, also provides veteran experience at the position.
PERSONNEL BRIEFING: DEFENSE
DEFENSIVE LINE
Letterwinners returning (7):
• #86 DE Drew Beesley (1L, So., 6-2, 252, Rochester Hills, Mich./Warren De La Salle)
(10 games/1 start, 6 tackles, 1 PBU, 1 FR)
• #91 DE Jack Camper (1L, So., 6-4, 258, Virginia Beach, Va./IMG Academy)
(11 games/1 start, 9 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sacks)
• #93 NT Naquan Jones (2L, Jr., 6-4, 338, Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township)
(13 games, 26 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 PBU)
• #96 DE JACUB PANASIUK (2L, Jr., 6-3, 245, Roselle, Ill./Lake Park West)
(13 games/11 starts, 31 tackles, 4.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FF)
• #72 DT MIKE PANASIUK (3L, Sr., 6-4, 293, Roselle, Ill./Lake Park West)
(13 games/13 starts, 25 tackles, 6 TFLs, 1.5 sacks, 3 PBUs)
• #48 DE KENNY WILLEKES (2L, Sr.-5, 6-4, 260, Rockford, Mich./NorthPointe Christian)
(13 games/13 starts, 78 tackles, 20.5 TFLs, 8.5 sacks, 1 PBU, 1 FR, 1 FF)
• #99 NT RAEQUAN WILLIAMS (3L, Sr.-5, 6-4, 303, Chicago, Ill./DePaul College Prep)
(13 games/13 starts, 53 tackles, 10.5 TFLs, 2 sacks, 5 PBUs)
Letterwinners lost (2):
• DE Dillon Alexander (3L, 1 game, 2 tackles)
• DE Gerald Owens (3L, 13 games, 11 tackles, 0.5 TFLs)
Michigan State welcomes back all four starters from last year's defensive line that helped the Spartans rank No. 1 in the nation in rushing defense, allowing just 77.9 yards per game, which was also the fifth-lowest total in school history. The group is led by defensive ends coach Chuck Bullough and defensive tackles coach Ron Burton, who were named the national co-defensive line coaches of the year in 2018 by FootballScoop.
Fifth-year senior Kenny Willekes, who was named the 2018 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and a first-team All-American by The Athletic, led the conference with 20.5 tackles for loss, second most in an MSU season, and also recorded a career-high 8.5 sacks. The highly energized Willekes led all defensive linemen in the FBS with a career-high 78 tackles, and according to Pro Football Focus, he had the most quarterback hits (23) and second-most QB pressures (72) of any edge rusher in the FBS. Unfortunately, Willekes suffered a broken fibula in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon, but will be fully recovered in time for the 2019 season.
A former walk-on, Willekes has racked up 151 tackles, 35 tackles for loss (126 yards) and 15.5 sacks (88 yards) in just two seasons as the starter. He already ranks ninth in MSU history tackles for loss (35) and 10th in sacks (15.5). Willekes also picked up first-team All-Big Ten accolades and second-team All-America recognition from the Football Writers Association of America, Sporting News and the Walter Camp Football Foundation. At the Spartan Football Awards banquet on Nov. 25, Willekes was named the recipient of the Governor's Award (MVP), becoming the first Spartan defensive end to win the honor since its inception in 1931.
Opposite of Willekes on the end will be junior Jacub Panasiuk, who collected 31 tackles, including 4.5 for loss with two sacks, in his first year as a starter last season. Sophomore Jack Camper and junior Drew Beesley also return as letterwinners for the Spartans and will provide depth at defensive end.
On the interior, Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams were key reasons why MSU featured the top-ranked rushing defense in the country in 2018. The duo has started 29 consecutive games alongside each other, dating back to the 2016 season, and the streak will continue into 2019. Panasiuk was a second-team All-Big Ten choice by Pro Football Focus after collecting a career-high six tackles for loss as a junior, while Williams racked up career bests in tackles (53) and tackles for loss (10.5) to pick up first-team All-Big Ten accolades by The Associated Press.
Two-year letterwinner Naquan Jones, who recorded 4.5 tackles for loss with two sacks and 26 stops overall, will provide back-up behind Williams. In addtion, redshirt freshman Jacob Slade could see time on the inside of the defensive line.
LINEBACKERS
Letterwinners returning (6):
• #35 JOE BACHIE (3L, Sr., 6-2, 231, Brook Park, Ohio/Berea-Midpark)
(13 games/13 starts, 102 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 5 PBUs, 1 FR, 3 FF)
• #26 Brandon Bouyer-Randle (2L, Jr., 6-2, 229, Battle Creek, Mich./Battle Creek Central)
(13 games/1 start, 21 tackles, 5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 1 FR, 2 FF)
• #45 Noah Harvey (1L, So., 6-3, 229, Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead, 12 games, 2 tackles)
• #37 Dante Razzano (1L, Jr., 6-2, 227, Niles, Mich./Edwardsburg, 13 games)
• #34 Antjuan Simmons (2L, So., 6-0, 216, Ann Arbor, Mich./Pioneer)
(13 games, 34 tackles, 1.5 TFLs)
• #17 TYRIQ THOMPSON (3L, Sr.-5, 6-1, 228, Detroit, Mich./King)
(12 games/12 starts, 31 tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, 1 INT, 2 FR)
Letterwinners lost (4):
• Byron Bullough (4L, 13 games, 4 tackles)
• ANDREW DOWELL (4L, 13 games/13 starts, 97 tackles, 8.5 TFLs, 3.5 sacks, 9 PBUs)
• Grayson Miller (4L, 13 games, 9 tackles)
• Jon Reschke (4L, 13 games, 33 tackles, 6 TFLs, 0.5 sacks)
Michigan State will be led once again in the middle by Joe Bachie, who will be entering his third year as the starting Mike linebacker and has been named a first-team preseason All-American by multiple media outlets. A first-team All-Big Ten selection by the coaches in 2018, Bachie has led the team in tackles the past two seasons (100 in 2017, 102 in 2018). Voted a captain by his teammates, Bachie helped anchor a defense in 2018 that ranked No. 1 in the FBS in rushing defense, No. 8 in scoring defense and No. 10 in total defense. He had 8.5 tackles for loss, five pass break-ups, three forced fumbles, one interception and one fumble recovery, and was named the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week following his performance at Maryland (seven tackles, two TFLs, three forced fumbles).
A consistent playmaker, Bachie has 214 tackles, 19.0 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four interceptions, seven pass break-ups, five forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries in 32 career games, including 26 consecutive starts. He has recorded double-digits in tackles nine times in his career.
Fifth-year senior Tyriq Thompson won the starting job last season at Sam linebacker and ended up recording career highs in tackles (31), tackles for loss (two) and fumble recoveries (two) in 12 starts. Thompson also took reps at middle linebacker during spring practice. Junior Brandon Bouyer-Randle, who has primarily seen action on third-down situations, has proven to be an effective pass rusher with five tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last season, and will look to see even more snaps on the field in 2019.
The Spartans have to replace three-year starting linebacker Andrew Dowell at Star linebacker, but two-year letterwinner Antjuan Simmons has gained plenty of experience his first two seasons and will look to take over the starting role as a junior in 2019. Simmons has 66 tackles in 26 career games and has played more than 400 snaps combined as a freshman and sophomore.
SECONDARY
Letterwinners returning (7):
• #29 CB Shakur Brown (1L, So., 5-10, 183, Stockbridge, Ga./Woodland)
(12 games, 6 tackles, 1 INT)
• #19 CB Josh Butler (3L, Sr.-5, 6-0, 182, Mesquite, Texas/West Mesquite)
(6 games/5 starts, 10 tackles, 3 PBUs)
• #6 S DAVID DOWELL (3L, Sr.-5, 6-1, 209, North Ridgeville, Ohio/St. Edward)
(13 games/13 starts, 59 tackles, 2 INTs, 2 PBUs, 1 FF)
• #3 S Xavier Henderson (1L, So., 6-1, 203, Reynoldsburg, Ohio/Pickerington Central)
(13 games, 15 tackles, 1 FF)
• #9 DB Dominique Long (2L, Jr., 6-2, 197, Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South)
(13 games, 12 tackles)
• #24 DB Tre Person (2L, Jr., 5-10, 167, Atlanta, Ga./Westlake)
(10 games/4 starts, 18 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 sack, 2 PBUs, 1 FF)
• #22 CB JOSIAH SCOTT (2L, Jr., 5-10, 171, Hamilton, Ohio/Fairfield)
(5 games/5 starts, 13 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 7 PBUs)
Letterwinners lost (3):
• CB JUSTIN LAYNE (3L, 12 games/12 starts, 72 tackles, 2.5 TFLs, 0.5 sack, 1 INT, 15 PBUs)
• S Matt Morrissey (4L, 13 games, 29 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 PBU)
• S KHARI WILLIS (4L, 13 games/13 starts, 84 tackles, 1 TFL, 2 INTs, 10 PBUs, 1 FF)
Michigan State returns a pair of starters in the secondary that have earned All-Big Ten honors during their careers and are on national award watch lists entering the 2019 season.
Fifth-year senior David Dowell, who has started 23 consecutive games at safety, was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2017 after leading the team with five interceptions, and garnered third-team all-conference accolades as a junior in 2018 with a career-high 59 tackles to go along with a pair of interceptions. Dowell's leadership will be counted on in the back end of the secondary as the Spartans lost two-year starter and 2018 captain Khari Willis to graduation and the NFL. Sophomore Xavier Henderson played in all 13 games a true freshman, including 141 snaps on defense, and will compete for the starting role left vacated by Willis.
Although he missed the first eight games of the season with a knee injury in 2018, Josiah Scott still showed why he's one of the best cornerbacks in the nation in the last five games of the year, recording seven pass break-ups, two interceptions and 13 tackles. He was named the Big Ten Co-Defensive Player of the Week after picking off a career-high two passes in the win over Rutgers, and earned Redbox Bowl Defensive MVP honors with a career-best four pass break-ups and three tackles vs. Oregon, including one for a loss of 8 yards. Scott was a Freshman All-American in 2017 after collecting 30 tackles, 10 pass break-ups and two interceptions.
Josh Butler and Tre Person filled in for Scott during his absence the first two months of the year, sharing time as the starter opposite of Justin Layne, who decided to forgo his senior year and was a third-round NFL Draft choice by the Steelers. Butler started four of the first five games last season before missing the last seven games of the regular season with an injury; he returned to the starting lineup in the Redbox Bowl against Oregon. He has 29 tackles and six pass break-ups in 30 career games, including nine starting assignments. Person converted from safety to cornerback in 2018 and tallied 18 tackles in four starts and 10 games overall. He returned to action at safety during the spring. Junior Dominique Long and sophomore Shakur Brown also are returning letterwinners who provide depth in the secondary, along with redshirt freshmen Kalon Gervin and Davion Williams.
PERSONNEL BRIEFING: SPECIAL TEAMS
• Placekicker: A 2018 Lou Groza Award semifinalist and first-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, junior Matt Coghlin ranked among the Big Ten leaders in field goals made (tied for second with 18), field-goal percentage (tied for fourth at .818) and scoring (ninth at 6.5 ppg). He made 18 of his 22 field-goal attempts in 2018 (5-of-5 from 20-29 yards; 9-of-10 from 30-39 yards; 4-of-5 from 40-49 yards; 0-2 from 50-plus yards). Coghlin opened the season with three field goals in the win over Utah State, including a season-long 49-yarder, and also had multiple field-goal outings against Arizona State (2), Northwestern (2), Purdue (3), Ohio State (2), Nebraska (2) and Oregon (2). He set a new school record with 18 consecutive field goals, dating back to 2017, before a kick was blocked in the Purdue game. That streak was also tied for the fourth longest in Big Ten history. Coghlin became the sixth Spartan placekicker to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors, and the third under Dantonio (Brett Swenson in 2009; Dan Conroy in 2012). The Cincinnati, Ohio, native currently ranks first in MSU history in field-goal percentage (33-of-41, .805).
• Punter: Jake Hartbarger received a sixth year of eligibility from the NCAA in 2019 after suffering a season-ending leg injury in Week 2 last season at Arizona State. Hartbarger's injury led to MSU starting four punters in 2018, the most of any team in the FBS, and a total of five Spartans punted. A 2017 Ray Guy Award nominee, Hartbarger averaged 42.0 yards per punt and placed a career-high 28 punts inside the 20 to earn honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades as a junior. He is ranked seventh in MSU history in punting average (42.1) and 10th in punts (186) and punting yards (7,833). Sophomore Tyler Hunt started five times after Hartbarger's injury, averaging 40.1 yards per punt with 15 inside the 20, but also suffered a season-ending knee injury (ACL) in late October. Bryce Baringer, a walk-on who joined the team midseason last fall, started in three games and adds depth at the position, along with freshman Jack Bouweester.
• Long Snapper: Fifth-year senior Ryan Armour returns for his second year as the starting long snapper in 2019. Armour was instrumental in the special teams unit that didn't miss a PAT and featured first-team All-Big Ten placekicker Matt Coghlin.
• Kickoff Specialist: Sophomore Cole Hahn won the starting kickoff specialist role last year and returns in 2019. He averaged 59.4 yards with 24 touchbacks on 59 kickoffs.
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