Michigan State's Kenny Willekes (leg) expected to miss spring practice

Souichi Terada

Special to the Detroit Free Press

LANSING — Defensive end Kenny Willekes, the Big Ten defensive lineman of the year, will likely miss all of spring practice because of the broken left fibula he suffered in Michigan State’s Redbox Bowl loss to Oregon.

MSU coach Mark Dantonio called the injury a “12-week deal” for the All-American. Willekes announced earlier this month he’s returning for his senior season at Michigan State in lieu of entering the NFL draft.

Dantonio spoke at the Michigan High School Football Coaches Association (MHSFCA) Winner’s Circle Football Clinic on Friday morning. He discussed his program’s philosophies and sprinkled in a few tips and tricks for the hundreds of high school football coaches in attendance.

Michigan State defensive end Kenny Willekes helped lead a Spartan defense last year that was ranked No. 1 nationwide against the run.

A few of Dantonio’s assistants also were present in downtown Lansing, mingling among the crowd.

Dantonio spoke just days after majorly reshuffling his offensive staff after a sub-par season in which the offense ranked near the bottom of the Football Bowl Subdivision in a number of categories. Michigan State produced just 18.7 points per game (125th of 129) and 342.1 total yards per game (116th).

Spring practice

While the Spartans adjust to the coaching shift, they’ll also have a little extra time to do so. Since spring break is a week later than usual for Michigan State this year, which means a slightly different spring practice schedule compared to prior years.

MSU is still finalizing exact dates for the start of spring practice and the spring game, but both are expected to happen after spring break ends on March 8.

“I just felt like with the coaching change, it gives everybody an opportunity to spend time, whether it’s going to see other people or whatever it is,” Dantonio said. “So having an extra week of preparation time before practices.”

Change at TE?

While the framework of Michigan State’s offense is mostly set in terms of returning personnel, one area the Spartans will look to improve is at tight end. Senior Matt Sokol's graduation left the depth chart bare for a position that struggled immensely throughout the season.

“We’re going to have to move some people there a little bit,” Dantonio said of the tight ends. “Change some things around, we have some guys that played some tight end in high school. Probably Matt Seybert will move back to tight end as well, he’s played it.”