We had a question lately about our receivers, since we return all of 10 catches for 153 yards (thanks to LayReylle Cunningham, who provides all of those numbers.  Yes, he is the only wide receiver on the roster with a catch in a game.).  We figured that other people might be curious about our actual players in the midst of a month's coverage on DumpyMuffs and Long Bos, so I've attached the depth chart I wrote up on our old site following spring ball.  Please don't take this as anything more than a snapshot in time and moderately accurate predictor of things to come: a lot will change in fall camp, and I promise that the two deep will be different when MSU rolls in on August 31st.

As for the receivers, the clear top three are (in no particular order) Michael Calvin, Nyan Boateng, and Jeremy Ross.  And at wr more than at any position on the team, new recruits will be given ample opportunities to crack the two deep and contribute during games.

Here's a look at the depth chart at the end of spring ball.  This needs to be taken with a large grain of salt because of the number of notable players (Best and Nasty Nate, for starters) out with injuries.  There is also room for some fall arrivals to make the two deep, particularly at wideout.  That said, here's where things stand now:

Defensive Backs

  *Jesse Brooks rotated with Brett Johnson for first team reps.  In general, these four safeties split first and second team reps fairly evenly, so it's tough to call one group the first team and another the second.  My guess is that all 4 four will get playing time this fall.  Jesse Brooks has looked very strong.  

Linebackers 

  Look for a lot of these guys to play.  Worrell, Felder, and Follett have their starting positions nailed down, but their backups will get on the field.  Mike Mohamed was hurt for much of spring ball, and he could challenge for a starting spot in the fall.  #42 Shea McIntyre performed well during his reps.

Defensive Line

Owusu and Jordan were two of the most impressive guys on the entire team this spring.  They will definitely play notable minutes.

Offensive Line

The offensive line, particularly the second string, is pretty muddled right now.  I couldn't find #54 Chris Guarnero, but it's safe to assume he'll be somewhere in the two deep.  Tedford and Offensive Line Coach Michalczik have always emphasized that they're looking for the top 8 guys, so looking at the second string as a whole is almost irrelevant.  We'll have to wait until fall to see who becomes the 7th and 8th guys.

*Cameron Morrah was sick for the last week for practice so Skylar Curran and Tad Smith shared first team reps in his place. 

*Mark Boskovich and #73 Richard Fisher Split first team reps at Left Guard, so it's unfair to call either of them second string.  Matt Summers-Gavin ran with the second team at this position.

Skill Positions

*First, the elephant in the room: the starting quarterback has not been determined.  Nate missed most of spring practice with an injury, but he was taking first team reps before he went down.  This battle will (hopefully) be decided in the fall, and Mansion will be third string.

*Likewise, the starting (and backup) tailbacks have not been determined due to injury.  Best participated in practice wearing the red (no contact jersey) and # 34 Shane Vereen missed a lot of time with a hamstring injury.  Slocum had a strong spring, but with Best and Vereen healthy in the fall, it will be a tough competition.  I would expect all three of them to get carries, and DeBoskie might see the field as well.

*The second string fullback appears to be up for grabs as well.  Your guess is as good as mine.

Calvin, Boateng, and Ross are clearly the top 3 receivers, but it is wide open after them and I would expect some of the new recruits to make the two deep this fall.  Drew Glover stepped in as the third receiver for Ross after Ross went down with an injury late in the spring. 

Go Bears!