Redshirting: Everyone has their own take on it. Wake Forest rose to national prominence by redshirting every freshman that stepped on campus and Notre Dame implores the policy of not redshirting anyone. Here’s how I see playing time shaking out among the 2009 freshmen class:
RB Larry Caper (5-11/215) – Caper has been figured into the Spartans 2009 chances by fans more than any freshman. When Dantonio is asked about the runningback position, he most always fits something in along the lines of “don’t forget about the freshmen we have coming in this fall”. Coaches will get down on freshmen for being one dimensional, but Caper has supreme pass blocking and pass catching skills for his age. There is no need for further explanation. Likelyhood of redshirting: 0%
RB Edwin Baker (5-10/205) – Can I photocopy the bit on Caper down to the Edwin Baker section? Spring ball showed Michigan State will need all the help it can get at runningback, and Baker is too explosive to keep off the field. Likelyhood of redshirting: 0%
LB Chris Norman (6-2/222) – “The Punisher” called Mark Dantonio on February 2, 2008 to say two things: 1. I want to play football for you, coach. 2. How can I start as a freshman? Needless to say, Norman doesn’t plan on riding the pine. And he won’t have to. He comes to Michigan State as its most highly regarded linebacker prospect since Julian Peterson. Gordon and Jones have spots virtually locked up, but a third LB spot is up for grabs. Likelyhood of redshirting: 0%
WR Bennie Fowler (6-2/185) – Mark Dantonio has shown he has no problem playing kids early at wide receiver (Mark Dell, Fred Smith), a trend that looks to continue into next season. Bennie Fowler was called out on signing day as one who could contribute early with talent that is hard to keep off the field: Youtube heroics. Fowler does not possess the ability to step in and be on the field 100 downs a game, every game. Few can. You can look for him to be used in a Keshawn Martin like role with specific patterns and formations taking advantage of his skill set; It’s hard to imagine he won’t be one of the fastest players on the team from day one. Look for some action in the return game as well. Likelyhood of redshirting: 10%
TE Dion Sims (6-5/230) – Sims could make Mark Dantonio look like a genius or a fool in a few years. Redshirt or no redshirt? Tight end or defensive end? These are big dillemas to face for one of the teams most naturally gifted players. But that’s really what it comes down to: Sims is one of the most talented players on the team and coaches will look for any excuse to get him on the field. Likelyhood of redshirting: 20%
SS Jairus Jones (6-2/210) – With my surprise pick for early playing time, I choose Jones. Whether on special teams or in the defensive backfield, 188 tackles his senior year….thats eye popping. He’ll play. Likelyhood of redshirting: 35%
DT Blake Treadwell (6-3/270) – You have to wonder what his father thinks about the situation, and you can bet he’ll have a good deal of influence on it. With years in the coaching circles, Don knows all the benefits of redshirting. On the other side of the coin, pops experience probably makes him the most game-ready of any 2009 signee. And Michigan State wouldn’t mind a 3rd body at 3-point defensive tackle behind Pickleman and Worthy, with Blake providing a happy medium with his size. Likelyhood of redshirting: 45%
OLB Jeremy Gainer (6-1/215) – Jeremy is more of a natural football player than a linebacker at this time. None the less, he could mold into a more talented version of Brandon Denson (“The Spread Backer”) very quickly. With just Denson and Steve Gardiner at the WILL, Gainer could see the field. Likelyhood of redshirting: 51%
FS Denicos Allen (6-0/210) – Could potentially make a good special teams player from day one but finds himself at the bottom of a long line for playing time at safety. Likelyhood of redshirting: 75%
CB Dana Dixon (6-3/175) – Surprised I have him above Dixon above White? Don’t be. Dixon brings a combination of size and speed that no corner on MSU’s roster – maybe in the entire conference – can bring to the table and Pat Narduzzi may find it hard to keep him off the field versus big bodied receivers like Arrelious Benn. Likelyhood of redshirting: 80%
CB Patrick White (5-11/170) – White was less than a phenom in spring ball, and that’s OK. Rarely will a player come in and make the kind of plays Johnny Adams did early on. And that’s OK. Michigan State has played freshmen cornerbacks each of the past two years and the depth chart is becoming increasingly tough to break through. Likelyhood of redshirting: 85%
WR Donald Spencer (6-4/200) – Spencer has the potential to develop into a very solid wideout for State but will find it hard to crack the loaded depth chart without a unique trait like Bennie Fowler. Likelyhood of redshirting: 90%
MLB TyQuan Hammock (6-1/22) – Similarly to Dencios Allen, is a hard hitter with a nose for the ball on special teams but its a long climb to the top at middle linebacker. Likelyhood of redshirting: 95%
DE Denzel Drone (6-2/230) – Similarly to Cameron Jude’s situation the year before, expect Drone to take a year to work on refining his skills and preparing himself for college football’s physical beating. Likelyhood of redshirting: 95%
NT Dan France (6-5/275) – Michigan State has bodies-a-plenty at nose tackle and France doesn’t deliver the intangibles of Treadwell. Likelyhood of Redshirting: 99%
LT David Barrent (6-8/300) and OC Nate Klatt (6-5/290) – Boy is it tempting. State brings back a less than stellar offensive line group with two highly touted linemen coming in. The premise of redshirting offensive linemen remains intact. However, the lack of depth at center and right tackle could force either of these two into the playing group. Likelyhood of redshirting: 99%
TE Derek Hoebing (6-6/245) – To completely dilute my point in regards to Dion Sims: Gantt, Linthicum, and Celek are all ahead of Hoebing on the depth chart, all three of which needed a year to redshirt to get where they are today. As a traditional blocking tight end, he will need time to develop. Spare 1% for the unlikely possibility that he sees time at defensive end. Likelyhood of redshirting: 99%
QB Andrew Maxwell (6-3/197) – Like offensive linemen, redshirting can be crucial at the quarterback position. With Cousins and Nichol in the fold, Maxwell will only see the field with injury. Even then, Dantonio may explore options with players like Aaron Bates before turning to this last ditch scenario. Likelyhood of redshirting: 100%
RG Micajah Reynolds (6-5/315) and RT Henry Conway (6-6/295) – At first glance you probably wonder what I have against Reynolds and Conway. Nothing, is the answer. It is generally, absolutely, universally considered the best idea possible to redshirt any and all true freshmen offensive linemen. Likelyhood of redshirting: 100%
JollyGreenGiants 