Michigan State football’s depth chart is underwhelming at best

By Colton Wesley | Aug 31, 2017

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Malik McDowell #4 of the Michigan State Spartans sits on the bench late in the fourth quarter during the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Michigan State will start only two seniors in Saturday’s season opener against Bowling Green as the depth chart is filled with young players.

Michigan State‘s depth chart was released on Tuesday and it is not inspiring. The Spartans only have two starting seniors going into 2017 but will start 11 sophomores. Michigan State went 3-9 in 2016 and lost a lot of players this offseason and the depth chart shows it.

Unsurprisingly, sophomore quarterback Brian Lewerke, returning after he ended last season with a broken leg, will lead the offense while fifth-year senior Damion Terry backs him up. The Spartan’s biggest strength comes in the backfield, where junior L.J. Scott, senior Gerald Holmes and junior Madre London will all get carries.

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The rest of the offense is full of question marks. Center Brian Allen is the only senior on the offense and both starting tackles, Cole Chewins and Luke Campbell, are new starters. Of the receivers listed on the depth chart, only Felton Davis III has reached his junior season, and four of the seven on the list are freshmen.

On the other side of the ball, the Spartans’ defensive line looks speculative at best, especially as Demetrius Cooper sits on the bench, presumably still being disciplined for off-field issues. Senior Chris Frey and Andrew Dowell return to the linebacking unit while Joe Bachie gets the start at the critical middle linebacker position. Sophomore Justin Layne highlights a defensive backfield fraught with turnover, without a senior in sight.

If you consider kickoff specialist a starting position, then the Spartans technically have a third senior in Brett Scanlon, while Matt Coghlin is likely to handle field goals. Jake Hartbarger will punt while Darrell Stewart Jr. will return kicks and punts.

Michigan State’s fill depth chart can be viewed here.

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The Spartans open their season on Saturday at noon on ESPNU against Bowling Green.

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