News and Notes from Spartan Football: August 10, 2015 Edition

News and Notes from Spartan Football: August 10, 2015 Edition In today’s column, I am going to use a bullet point format updating you on several issues. •

News and Notes from Spartan Football: August 10, 2015 Edition

In today’s column, I am going to use a bullet point format updating you on several issues.

• Dantonio was pleasantly surprised that everyone passed the conditioning test in time for camp. I don’t have this as 100% fact, but I have covered every single day of the Dantonio era and I don’t ever remember that being the case. What does that mean? The players got the message of “reach higher” and came into camp ready for the challenge. To me that was BY FAR the biggest bit of news out of the camp this weekend. Dantonio added, “Sometimes guys run for weeks. 98% pass on the first time.”

• “There is talent in our freshman class,” was how Dantonio gushed over his class.

• Dantonio is one of the most humble men I know and he won’t allow himself to reminisce. Saying only about this year, “There are a lot of big goals and dreams.” He didn’t want to talk about all that he has accomplished.

• As far as competition, Dantonio said, “Every position is up for grabs because you never know what the future holds.” With that said, there are several positions that are NOT in play such as QB and LT, but people are competing for second team reps. For the fourth year I can tell you this, MSU WILL HAVE players that will play in the NFL that WILL NOT see the field this year. Fourth straight year. Think about that folks.

• “A lot of optimism and a lot of confidence and a lot of leadership from our senior group. Really positive,” was how Dantonio described the mindset of his team. Those words are proven by the actions of the team with all passing the conditioning test.

• Dantonio has long talked about calling his coach (who has passed away) on the first day of camp. I asked him if others who have gone from his staff or former players call him on their first day. He smiled and said, “I get a lot of texts.” Since his coach has passed Dantonio makes a point to call his widow. Naturally, he added, “I will call her today.”

• Aaron Burbridge spent the summer getting better, so when asked how he is doing, Dantonio said of his probably #1 X wide receiver, “He ran well. Didn’t run much through the summer and one of the guys that didn’t pass the conditioning test (1st chance), but he did pass and is ready.”

• Darian Hicks has mono and Coach Dantonio says, “Out for some time. Could be three, four or five weeks. Ran the test and made the test…and came down sick.” That tells you about his conditioning. Kid had mono and still passed the brutal conditioning test.

• Dantonio has had two punters in his first eight seasons. TWO. So there is a lot of pressure on Jake Hartbarger. That is a good thing. He WILL have a learning curve, but Mike Sadler said earlier this year on Spartan Nation Radio, “Jake will be better than me. No doubt. I don’t predict that, I am telling you that.” Dantonio praised his young star as well. “Jake punted really well today, times were well.”

• For a team to “reach higher” and win a title they have to stay healthy and for the first time in a long time the Spartans enter camp according to Dantonio, “Everybody is full go except for Darian.”

• Dantonio mentioned K Michael Geiger saying, “Has to be assertive, but he has to be perfect.”

• This was telling from Dantonio. “Have to be able to tackle in space. We won’t know where we are as a football team until a week in. If they have the skill you can see them move pretty rapidly.”

• For fans looking for a lot early in camp, remember Dantonio’s mantra, “This game is played in pads.” That starts Wednesday.

• Kaleel Gaines just found out he was eligible from the NCAA and here was a miracle and a telling sign of why he was such a heralded recruit, he showed up on Wednesday and passed his conditioning test on Friday. Dantonio was ecstatic saying, “Just got here on Wednesday. He’s a good athlete. Great ball skills.”

• While fans expectations soar with camp in process, it is critical to remember that the season is a marathon and not a sprint. “Today is a starting point. Don’t want to get anyone hurt, limited pushing and pulling on each other which we did.”

• Dantonio has three scrimmages every fall and they will do periods of live work all the time. He informed us that will remain the same. “We’ll have three (scrimmages) but go live a lot.”

• David Dowell will start out playing at corner, could "Maybe" move to safety or wide out as well.

• Drake Martinez will begin his MSU career at the STAR LB for right now. T.J. Harrell is going to be a good one and is second in the depth chart, but I expect Martinez to overtake him for that spot.

• RJ Shelton is going to be the straw that mixes the MSU drink this year. Dantonio was asked if they would move him to RB and all he said, with a wry smile was, “Great skill. We’ll see how it goes. Get ready.”