Michigan State Spartans
2000 overall record: 5-6
Conference record: 2-6 (t-9th)
Returning starters
Offense: 6
Defense: 6
Kickers: 2
2000 Statistical leaders (* - returners)
Rushing: T.J. Duckett* (1,353 yds)
Passing: Jeff Smoker* (1,365 yds)
Receiving: Herb Haygood* (539)
Tackles: Josh Thornhill* (114)
Sacks: Drew Young and Jabari Hendricks (3 each)
Interceptions: Cedric Henry* (5)
What's new
The Spartans will have a few deep threats this year after averaging only 12.5 yards per reception last season. Newcomers Charles Rogers and BJ Lovette will join Herb Haygood (15.4 ypr) and Marcus Waters (16.4 ypr) to give MSU plenty of big play potential. Rogers, Lovette and Waters are all 6-foot-4 and over 200 pounds with speed.
Battling it out
One of coach Bobby Williams' priorities for the spring was to identify a starting QB, but both played so well that he had no choice but to extend competition to the fall. Jeff Smoker started six games last season, while Ryan Van Dyke started the other five. Each looked like a new QB in the spring with receivers who could stretch the field.
Eye catcher: OLB Ivory McCoy
McCoy began last season as a two-way player (OLB and TE) but finished the season exclusively as a backup tight end. He began this spring at TE, then was moved back to defense after a couple of weeks. In his first scrimmage, he had two tackles for loss, a sack and an interception on the goalline. He continued to impress and has coaches hopeful he can become a playmaker in the mold of Julian Peterson.
Budding star: MLB Josh Thornhill
A three-year starter, Thornhill was solid but not spectacular until last season, when he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors with 114 tackles. He anchors a Spartan defense that led the Big Ten last year and should be one of the best in the conference again this season. If so, Thornhill could also contend for national honors.
Brad Edwards researches college football for ESPN and is a contributor to ESPN.com throughout the year.
