Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
In a move that might not sit well with many but should come as surprise to nobody, head coach Mark Dantonio and the Michigan State Spartans football team announced fifth year senior Andrew Maxwell will indeed be the starting quarterback in 2013.
This news comes after much anticipation surround the situation all summer long as the team was in a four way quarterback competition between Maxwell, Connor Cook, Tyler O’Connor and Damion Terry. Dantonio also said that Cook will see playing time, similar to their play in the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl, but Maxwell is the guy.
Maxwell will look to redeem his sub par play from a season ago and get the Spartans back in contention for a Big Ten Championship and possibly a BCS Bowl berth, which has eluded the team since the start of the BCS.
While Maxwell being named the starter was the headline news for the day, there were some very interesting notes outside of the quarterbacks as well. Redshirt junior Jeremy Langford tops the depth chart at running back after the competition for the role lasted all through camp. Redshirt freshman Riley Bullough will see a good share of carries as well.
There wasn’t any shocking news from the wide receivers or the tight ends, but on the offensive line it was a different story. Redshirt freshman Jack Conklin is named the co-starter at both left and right tackle, but it sounds like he will start at left. Conklin was an unrated recruit in 2012 and held zero scholarship offers before walking on at State.
On defense, everything is as expected and there is no shocking news from the dominant squad, which returns nine starters from last season.
For true freshmen on the team, Dantonio said he plans on redshirting quarterback Damion Terry as well as linebackers Jon Reschke and Shane Jones, all whom were highly touted recruits. The only freshman to crack the two-deep on either side of the ball was cornerback Darian Hicks, who has had an impressive camp.
For injuries, although Dantonio refuses to speak on them, it was noticed that guard Jack Allen and defensive tackles James Kittridge and Lawrence Thomas were not listed and the extent of their injuries is unknown.
The Spartans start their season Friday night under the lights versus the Western Michigan Broncos.
Erik Sargent is a college football writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @Erik_Sargent, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google.
