Michigan State TE Dion Sims is Ready to Go From Potential to Production
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Dion Sims is back and ready to make an immediate impact in Michigan State's offense.
At least that's what seemed evident after the big tight end caught touchdown passes of 2 and 42 yards in the Spartans' annual spring game. It is a sight to behold and must have offensive coordinator Dan Roushar licking his chops between now and the fall, as the tight end position has been an enormous weapon the past few seasons. With Sims and Garrett Celek and Brian Linthicum drawing defenders down field, it just adds another dimension to the offense.Â
“It means a lot to have him back," quarterback Kirk Cousins said. "He was a big, big pickup in recruiting, he played right away as a true freshman. He’s 280 pounds with the softest hands on the team. Just a rare combination of size and athleticism.
"I know our coaches have often times thought of playing him at left tackle if he was willing do it, because he’s so smooth and so athletic and so big. He wants to be a tight end and has the hands and mobility to do that as well.â€
Whether Cousins was being facetious or not regarding the left tackle comment, it just goes to show the kind of athlete Sims is and how much he was missed last season after his off-field issues relating to the theft of laptops from the Detroit Public Schools. It was much-discussed situation by the media and coach Mark Dantonio, but all of that seems to be behind both Sims and the team.
Sims seems to have applied himself once again and made one of the biggest impressions, if not the biggest, in the spring game. Some past complaints towards MSU's offense was not utilizing the TE well enough, even though the tight end has boasted some very good players in Linthicum and former renegade Charlie Gantt.Â
It's anticipated that 2011 could be Sims' "breakout year," even though he was named to the Big Ten All-Freshman Team in 2009. He had three touchdowns that season and just over 130 yards, and that type of production can be tripled in the offense the Spartans run. Sims is such a good athlete that his teammates who play alongside of him on offense definitely realize his potential.
"Dion is like a freak of nature," said senior wide receiver Keshawn Martin. "He's 280 (pounds), 6-foot-4 or something like that, he can move, he can run. Everyone saw him score that one touchdown (in the spring game). I don't know he he got out like that, but Dion ... that's an NFL prospect right there."
But to think that Sims' teammtes are surprised of the effort and play-making ability he has shown this spring is a misconception. They know he's good and are happy he's playing that way every day.
"It really isn't a shock for me because everyone knows Dion can make those plays," Martin added. "Once he got back in there I knew he was gonna have a big effect."
