Michigan State football: First-look 2019 depth chart projections
Offense depth chart projections
QB: Brian Lewerke, Senior (RS) / Rocky Lombardi Sophmore (RS)
2018 was supposed to the season that Brian Lewerke put himself on the map not only in the college football world but for NFL scouts too. Unfortunately, a shoulder injury led to what Lewerkie called the toughest year of his career as he only amassed a little over 2,000 passing yards with just eight touchdowns to 11 interceptions. However, similar to his trust in the coaching staff Dantonio appears to be fully confident in Lewerkie heading into 2019.
Dantonio addressed the situation last month stating “Brian Lewerke, I think, understands our terminology. He’s been successful here in the past. I think he can be successful and I have faith in that. I put my faith in the people that I know, and that’s the direction we’re going to go.”
Rocky Lombardi who filled in for Lewerkie while he was injured will be the primary backup again with redshirt freshman Theo Day behind him.
RB: Connor Heyward, Junior / La’Darius Jefferson, Sophmore
The LJ Scott experience has officially come to an end with him graduating, so Connor Heyward who carried most of the load during 2018 will go into spring as the number one guy. Though La’Darius Jefferson will no doubt get his opportunity to impress the coaches and fight for the starting job. Also, be on the lookout for incoming freshmen Anthony Williams Jr. and Brandon Wright. Unlike quarterback, this should be a battle all offseason because there is no clear cut main guy.
WR: Cody White, Junior / Cam Chambers, Junior (RS)
WR: Darrell Stewart Jr, Senior (RS) / C.J. Hayes, Senior (RS)
WR: Jalen Nailor, Sophmore / Laress Nelson, Junior
Sparty will return two of their top three leading receivers in Cody White and Darrell Stewart Jr. but have to replace the presence of Felton Davis lll who despite struggling with injuries was still a big part of the offense when on the field. Jalen Nailor is a player with great speed, and the coaches need to find a way to get him the ball in 2019. The big newcomer to keep an eye on is freshman Tre Mosely who was an early enrollee.
TE: Matt Dotson, Junior / Trenton Gillson, Freshman (RS)
The tight end position was pretty much a non-factor in 2018, they only recorded 22 catches amongst the entire group and just two touchdowns. Dotson led the position in receptions and yards, but that isn’t saying much. Mark Staten who was the offensive line coach in 2018 is moving back to tight ends coach which he did from 2007-10. He helped develop players like Kellen Davis and Charlie Gantt in his first stint at the position, so perhaps he can do something nice with this group.
LT: Cole Chewins, Senior (RS) / Devontae Dobbs, Freshman
LG: Tyler Higby, Senior (RS) / Matt Carrick, Sophmore (RS)
C: Matt Allen, Junior (RS) / Blake Bueter, Sophmore (RS)
RG: Kevin Jarvis, Junior / Luke Campbell, Junior (RS)
RT: Jordan Ried, Junior / AJ Arcuri, Junior (RS)
Not sure I’ve seen a situation where every starting offensive linemen from a team’s bowl game returns for the next season, and it might be a bad thing. But that could very well by the situation in East Lansing. The run game will need to improve drastically in 2019, and it starts with the trenches, the unit ranked 109th in opportunity rate (chance of at least 4 yards) according to Football Outsiders. They were minimally better in pass protection, but there is almost nowhere to go but up for these guys.