MSU notes: Nebraska transfer DT Kevin Williams rises on depth chart

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 true freshman Mike Panasiuk No. 3 at defensive tackle.

“I honestly didn’t even see it,” said Kevin Williams, a graduate transfer who arrived for summer workouts. “I try not to really think about those kind of things. That’s not what it’s really about for me. It’s about getting better day in and day out, helping everybody out. … I’m only as good as the guy next to me. If he’s playing next to me, he has to be ready to go as well.”

Tenth-year coach Mark Dantonio did however caution that the depth chart isn’t gospel and called the two Williamses “co-starters.”

Transfer Kevin Williams listed as starter for Michigan State opener

“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.”

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.

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.

Junior Chris Frey and sophomore Andrew Dowell are co-starters at Star linebacker, with Riley Bullough in the middle and Jon Reschke on the strong side. Demetrius Cooper and Evan Jones retained their starting positions at defensive end, with graduate transfer Gabe Sherrod and sophomore Robert Bowers their backups.

Highly touted defensive ends Josh King and Auston Robertson are both listed as third-stringers. They are two of 12 true freshmen listed on the opening depth chart, six on each side of the ball.

“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.”

Michigan State wants to explore offensive line depth against Furman

LOFTY EXPECTATIONS: Reschke said he expects MSU’s defense to be among the nation’s best. He had an even bigger goal for the opening game against Furman.

“We gotta set our goals high,” he said. “I think our goal, not to sound cocky or anything, but I think we can hold this team to no first downs. We could beat them that badly, and that’s what we need to do to make a statement as a defense.

“If we want to be the best defense in the country, we need to start fast. And that’s what our coaches are preaching.”

Reschke, who took over as a starter last year when Ed Davis went down with a knee injury, said he has taken reps at all three linebacker positions during preseason camp. The Brother Rice High graduate from Sterling Heights finished with 75 tackles, fifth on the team, and two sacks.

“I need to have a way better season than I did last year. I had too many missed tackles, I had missed assignments. I need to be better. Of course, I think everyone needs to have that mentality.”

DAVIS UPDATE: Dantonio said MSU continues to play the waiting game for the NCAA to decide whether linebacker Davis will receive a sixth year to play this season. The coach did not give a concrete timeframe to hear an answer.

Davis, who cannot practice while waiting, graduated after the final session of summer classes ended, and the school applied for the waiver early last week.

“He's progressing in terms of getting his knee right and just getting back into shape,” Dantonio said. “We'll see where that's at here. We should know something very soon.”

SPECIAL EMPHASIS: 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.

Sophomore Brandon Sowards and Stewart are listed behind Shelton at punt returner. Redshirt freshman Collin Caflilsch is listed as the top option at long snapper, replacing four-year starter Taybor Pepper.