EAST LANSING — The spread-out band ripped out the fight song. Cheerleaders split into groups and led chants for the fans, many of whom hovered underneath the Spartan Stadium upper deck to avoid the raindrops.
Mel Tucker finally got a chance to show off Michigan State football to the public, even if it was a year later than expected.
The Spartans went through their final of 15 spring practices Saturday, giving the 6,000 fans at the game and those watching on Big Ten Network a glimpse into what a practice is like under Tucker.
A few things stood out, particularly with who wasn’t in uniform.
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Of the 11 players on the roster who did not dress, a number of them were significant contributors on the offensive line — starting left tackle AJ Arcuri, starting left guard J.D. Duplain and versatile backups Blake Bueter and Luke Campbell. Starting defensive tackle Jacob Slade also did not dress, and neither did Chase Kline — compounding an already-thin situation at linebacker. Returning starting cornerback Kalon Gervin also did not participate much during scrimmage portions but was in uniform and went through drills.
Others who did not dress: wide receiver Ricky White, safety Michael Gravely, offensive lineman Justin Stevens, defensive end DeAri Todd and tight end Adam Berghorst (who also plays for MSU’s baseball team, which had a home game Saturday).
And with so many players out, it made judging many of the things during one-on-one drills during practice difficult. Particularly when it came time to do some scrimmaging.
in the battle at quarterback, sophomore Payton Thorne appears to have the edge right now on Temple grad transfer Anthony Russo. After starting the final game of last year’s 2-5 debut for Tucker, Thorne got the initial first-team snaps in most drills and scrimmage situations while Russo blended in at times. Tucker and offensive coordinator Jay Johnson alluded throughout the spring that Thorne was slightly ahead with his knowledge of the system.
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Both Thorne and Russo showed off deep touch with long TD throws to receivers Cade McDonald and Jayden Reed during scrimmage portions, but the Spartans’ defensive backfield also is thin while awaiting three FBS transfers this summer.
At running back, both junior Elijah Collins and Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III took turns with the first unit. They ran behind a first-unit offensive line that included sixth-year senior and oft-injured Matt Allen at center ahead of Nick Samac. With all the missing bodies, the rest of the starting group included Arkansas State transfer Jarrett Horst at left tackle, junior James Ohonba at left guard, and returning starters Matt Carrick at right guard and Kevin Jarvis at right tackle.
Another surprise on defense was sophomore Angelo Grose being used at free safety next to returning strong safety Xavier Henderson. Grose last season manned nickel back and appeared heading toward becoming a cornerback. Senior Michael Dowell was the primary nickel back Saturday, with Justin White and Zach Denha mainly at cornerback. Dowell made a diving interception in one of the few 1s-vs.-1s scrimmage situation, a play in which Thorne rolled to his right and tried to force a throw to tight end Tyler Hunt.
The Spartans break camp until returning for summer workouts, with preseason camp to begin in late July or early August before the Spartans’ season opener Sept. 4 at Northwestern.
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Read more on the Michigan State Spartans and sign up for our Spartans newsletter.
