News and Notes From Spartan Football 04/21/10 Edition with Complete Spring Game Rosters

 Today was the annual spring draft. In case you aren't aware, here is how it works. The seniors are divided into two teams, the green and the white, by

 

Today was the annual spring draft. In case you aren't aware, here is how it works. The seniors are divided into two teams, the green and the white, by the coaches. Coach Dave Warner is the head coach of the White team and Coach (I better wear a green sweater vest in honor of my Uncle Jim) is the head coach of the Green team. They draft by position. For example, once someone drafts a quarterback they do not move on to a new position until all quarterbacks are picked.Â

 

The spring game draft tells us a lot. Last year I commented how far Fred Smith had dropped among his teammates by how far he fell in the draft. I got a lot of criticism from people who foolishly took me to task that he was hurt and how they couldn’t believe that I would say that. Well, I didn’t bother defending myself and his move to FB (first reported by Spartan Nation) proved what I knew correct. There were several of those moments today. Here are some.

 

Kirk Cousins was the first overall pick and that was no shock, but the next position off of the board was the Z WR. Keshawn Martin was the first Z WR off of the board. Greg Jones insisted that his White team only take two players and the first was KMART. Jones said, “He is just so explosive.” As KMART grows into a full time player and not just a specialty guy, he is creating opportunities for himself.

 

Another shocker was after the White team picked Larry Caper, the Green team responded by taking LeVeon Bell. This youngster is an early enrollee true freshman. The same kid that many fans bemoaned Mark Dantonio for “settling” for. I have reported all spring how well he is doing and that pick should tell you something. I asked CLR, whose White team picked Bell, about that shocker and he responded with, “He has really impressed me. The way he works and plays on the field…we wanted him as our back.” The amazing thing?  I am not so sure that the White team would have picked Baker if both had been available. Not a slam on Baker at all, just proof for skeptics of Coach Dantonio and his eye for talent.

 

Keith Nichol was the first X WR taken. His ability and talent are incredibly impressive.

 

The other player that Greg Jones insisted his team take was Max Bullough. A shocker you ask? Not really. Jones has raved all spring about Bullough and the way he is playing. Jones ended up trading Bullough to the Green team when they came up short at safety, but the respect for Bullough from Jones says a lot. Greg Jones praised Bullough today for, “Putting a lot of extra time in.”Â

 

Another area that has been incredibly competitive is the kicker spot. I was watching that close and the players spoke about confidence when they selected Dan Conroy first.

 

 

 

Jones tried to insist that he will be less hostile. I called him on it and referenced last year’s performance. He laughed and admitted that he plays “Until the whistle blows. Everyone is trying to show what they can do.”

 

Jones also went to praise Jairus Jones for three areas that he has really impressed with. 1) Jairus has become very aware on the field. 2) Greg Jones admires that “He wants to get better.” 3) Takes the game of football serious. This is high praise from a player with a work ethic that is incredibly admirable and is hard to impress.

 

Dantonio didn’t hide the respect for his four young RBs. I asked about LeVeon Bell getting picked before Baker and he grinned. He said, “I think all four of those guys are very good.”

 

Dantonio thinks that the spring game is profitable because “Anytime you get your guys in competitive situations it is good.”

 

Were some of the shock picks today based on friendship? “No! They make those picks based on who they think are players.”

 

About LeVeon Bell getting picked over Baker, Dantonio said, “Those young players have stepped up and shown maturity.”

 

Steve Gardiner was a highly praised MLB. When he signed Dantonio said he reminded him of his star A.J. Hawk from Ohio State. He was slowed early in his career with an injury and some have forgotten about him. He can play a lot of places and that talented young man will make some noise before his time is done. I can’t wait to watch him on Saturday.

 

As far as his kicking situation goes Dantonio said, “That’s a big part of what we do.” I can tell you that Coach D is really excited to watch that this weekend, as you should be.

 

Here are the teams:

Green team

QB Kirk Cousins
QB Joe Boisture
WR B.J. Cunningham
WR Brad Sonntag
WR Donald Spencer
WR Milton Colbert
WR Mark Dell
TE Dion Sims
OL David Barrent
OL Zach Hueter
OL Antonio Jeremiah
OL John Deyo
OL Joel Foreman
OL John Stipek
OL J’Michael Deane
S Trenton Robinson
S Josh Bodell
S Marcus Hyde
S Jesse Johnson
LB Steve Gardiner
LB Max Bullough
LB Denicos Allen
LB Eric Gordon
FB Adam Setterbo
FB Jeff Bobek
K Kevin Muma

P Kyle Selden
RB Le’Veon Bell
RB Nick Hill
RB David Spears
DL Dan France
DL Doug Curtis
DL Tyler Hoover
DL Todd Anderson

DL Corey Freeman
DL Blake Treadwell
DL Micajah Reynolds
CB Mitchell White
CB Dana Dixon
CB Chris L. Rucker

Injured reserve

DT Jerel Worthy
TE Garrett Celek
TE Brian Linthicum
OT Henry Conway
DE Colin Neely

 

White team

QB Andrew Maxwell
WR Keshawn Martin
WR Bennie Fowler
WR CD Rucker
WR Keith Nichol
WR C. Martin

TE Derek Hoebing
TE Charlie Gantt
OL Nate Klatt
OL Jared McGaha
OL Chris McDonald
OL Ethan Ruhland
OL DJ Young
S Danny Folino
S Patrick White
S Jairus Jones
LB Chris Norman
LB Kyler Elsworth
LB Greg Jones
LB Jon Misch
FB Fred Smith
FB Josh Rouse
K Dan Conroy
K Colin Murphy
P Aaron Bates
RB Larry Caper
RB Edwin Baker
RB Andre Buford
DL Cameron Jude
DL Tim MacLean
DL Johnathan Strayhorn
DL Denzel Drone
DL RJ Kelly
DL Blake Pacheco
DL Kenley Choute
CB Johnny Adams
CB Chase Parker

Injured reserve

OL Arthur Ray
LB TyQuan Hammock
DT Kevin Pickelman
OG Hugh Stangeland
WR Jordan Benton
FB Nick Bendzuck