Transfer Kevin Williams listed as starter for Michigan State opener
EAST LANSING – Michigan State snagged Kevin Williams as a late-addition this summer. The former Nebraska defensive tackle already is making an immediate impact.
Williams is listed as a starter, alongside junior nose tackle Malik McDowell, on the Spartans’ first depth chart for Friday’s opener against Furman.
Redshirt freshman Raequan Williams is listed as the second-string behind both McDowell and Kevin Williams, with freshman Mike Panasiuk No. 3 at defensive tackle.
Tenth-year coach Mark Dantonio did however caution that the depth chart isn’t gospel and called the two Williamses “co-starters.”
“I’m not ready to announce anybody as a starter,” Dantonio said Tuesday morning. “(Kevin Williams) is in the mix, he’s a co-starter. Whether he starts or whether one of those other two guys start in there is really will be determined at game time. … But listing on the depth chart, we had to put somebody in there first, so we’ll start from there.”
Related: Kevin Williams on joining Spartans: 'They're tough SOBs'
Related: 2016 MSU football preview: Defensive line
Much of the two-deep is as expected, with Tyler O’Connor the No. 1 quarterback, Damion Terry as the No. 2 and Brian Lewerke as No. 3.
At wide receiver, highly touted freshman Donnie Corley is second-string in the slot behind fifth-year seniors Monty Madaris and R.J. Shelton and sophomore Felton Davis III.
Shelton also is listed as the starting punt and kick returner, with redshirt freshman receiver Darrell Stewart Jr. joining him on kickoffs. Starting safety Montae Nicholson also is listed as a kickoff returner.
“You just gotta be a baller as we call it and make (things) happen, regardless whether it’s me or Darrell,” Shelton said.
David Beedle will replace Jack Conklin at left tackle, with Brian Allen at left guard, Kodi Kieler at center, Miguel Machado at right tackle and either Brandon Clemons or Benny McGowan at right guard. Dantonio said the Spartans are about six deep right now, with hopes of playing eight or nine offensive linemen against Furman to gauge who could join their rotation.
MSU football preview: Columns, position analysis, predictions, etc.
At running back, all three players – LJ Scott, Madre London and Gerald Holmes – are listed as co-starters. Dantonio said fullback Delton Williams “is nicked up” and is listed as a co-starter with grad transfer Prescott Line.
Demetrius Cooper and Evan Jones retained their starting positions at defensive end, with highly touted Josh King and Auston Robertson both listed as third-stringers. Dantonio said their fellow true freshman, Mike Panasiuk, is expected to play at defensive tackle immediately.
“We’ve got a lot of good players up there, younger players, that where they are at day one right now will not be where they are at six weeks from now,” Dantonio said. “And that’s the mind-set we have to take with some of our younger players.”