Mark Dantonio Removes Caulton Ray and Andre Anderson from Spartan Football Active Roster. What Does that Mean for Spartan Football?

Mark Dantonio addressed the situation today that Spartan Nation first referenced after the Northwestern game on October 17, 2009, the backlog of Spartan RBs. Click hear to read that article.  With the backlog of Spartans on the running back depth chart there wasn’t a lot of daylight or hope of playing time for some Spartans.

 

Lack of playing time can lead to frustrations. That is understandable. Today Mark Dantonio eliminated frustrations about playing time when he removed Andre Anderson and Caulton Ray from the team. Neither of the players dressed for Saturday’s game against Iowa.

Mark Dantonio Internal Issues with Spartan Football on His Mind Along with Iowa This Past Weekend. Photo Courtesy of Bill Marklevits.

 

In fact, here is the press release that Mark Dantonio released today from his Sports Information Director John Lewandowski:Â Michigan State head football coach Mark Dantonio confirmed Wednesday afternoon that running backs Andre Anderson and Caulton Ray have been removed from the active roster.

 

Speculation has run rampant as to why the matter happened now rather than at the end of the year. There have been no legal or criminal issues that have led to this. It was best, however, for all involved that the parting of the ways happens now. Clearly, this move was in the best interest of the players and the program.

 

Late last season, more than one player had mentioned to me that they had heard Ray was considering transferring, and those rumors began to heat up again when Glenn Winston returned to game shape prior to his injury.

 

Anderson and Ray both were good backs, but didn’t step up and do enough with multiple opportunities last season when no one could step up and help Javon Ringer. They also failed this season to obtain or hold the number one or even back up role.

 

Both of them will be allowed, per NCAA rules, to stay in school for the remainder of this semester on scholarship. NCAA rules will also allow them next semester should they chose to stay, but speculation at this point is that they will leave after this semester. This will free up two more scholarships for the 2010 class if they transfer at the end of this semester. Dantonio could award them to current walk on prospects such as D.J. Young and Johnathan Strayhorn.

 

Young has won the starting RT job and Strayhorn has earned significant playing time on the DL.