Joe Rexrode

Detroit Free Press

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio brought a lot of news with him to Monday’s spring football news conference, some unsurprising (the quarterback competition should extend into the 2016 season) and some surprising (linebacker Drake Martinez will get a look at running back).

He also had injury news (cornerback Vayante Copeland is good to go, left tackle Dennis Finley is getting there, linebacker Ed Davis is still healing) and confirmation that defensive end Montez Sweat — suspended for the final 12 games of the 2015 season for a violation of team rules — is back in good standing and will participate in spring ball.

That starts today and culminates with the April 23 spring game at Spartan Stadium, and Dantonio said there will be schematic “tweaks” on both sides of the ball, though he wasn’t specific and said they won’t be dramatic.

“We won 12 games last year, and we've been pretty successful here as of late,” said Dantonio, who has won 38 of his past 43 games and two of the past three Big Ten championships. “But I think you can always get better.”

More news from Monday, broken down by position group:

• Running back: Delton Williams will be back on scholarship for next season, after playing the 2015 season without one in the wake of a long suspension for flashing a gun on campus. And Williams is the No. 1 fullback entering the spring.

“I think he’s a football player,” Dantonio said of Williams, “and we need to give him the opportunity to do that.”

Martinez played sparingly at linebacker last season and missed most of it with a foot injury. He has “great speed,” Dantonio said, so he’s getting a shot at a position behind listed tri-starters Gerald Holmes, LJ Scott and Madre London.

• Receiver: The first string to start spring is senior R.J. Shelton, sophomore Felton Davis and redshirt freshman Darrell Stewart. Early-enrolled freshmen Donnie Corley and Cam Chambers both start the spring listed as third-stringers. Corley is behind Shelton and Monty Madaris at the "Z" position, and Chambers behind Davis and Edward Barksdale at the "X."

• Offensive line: Every position has co-starters. It’s Finley, back from a broken leg, or David Beedle at the left tackle spot vacated by Jack Conklin.

It’s Benny McGowan or Brian Allen at left guard. Allen or Kodi Kieler at center. Brandon Clemons or Miguel Machado at right guard. And Kieler or Machado at right tackle.

• Quarterback: Dantonio confirmed fifth-year senior Tyler O’Connor remains ahead of fourth-year junior Damion Terry, though they are listed as co-starters. Dantonio said the competition should extend into the season.

• Defensive line: Sweat and tackle Craig Evans, who has been in trouble with Dantonio in the past, both are active for the spring. Redshirt freshman lineman Kyonta Stallworth has moved from offensive guard to defensive tackle, at least to start spring ball.

The first team to begin spring is Demetrius Cooper and Evan Jones at the ends, with Malik McDowell and Damon Knox inside. Dantonio, asked about the fact that McDowell was spotted on MSU’s pro day last week with a cast on his hand, said “he’ll go this spring.”

• Linebacker: Andrew Dowell is No. 1 at the “star” outside backer vacated by Darien Harris, with T.J. Harrell at No. 2. Riley Bullough (middle) and Jon Reschke (“money”) are back at their starting spots from last season.

But Dantonio said Reschke could get reps at the “star” as well — he could move there if Davis gets a sixth year as expected and is healthy enough to reclaim his starting “money” spot in 2016. Davis still has to complete his degree this spring before MSU can apply for the sixth year. Clemons and Knox also are applying for sixth years of eligibility.

• Defensive backfield: Copeland is No. 1 at boundary cornerback after a fractured vertebra in his neck ended his 2015 season late in the second game. "Vayante looks pretty good," Dantonio said.

Darian Hicks is the other No. 1 cornerback as a senior. The No. 2 corners are sophomore Tyson Smith and redshirt freshman Josh Butler, with fifth-year senior Jermaine Edmondson and redshirt freshman Kaleel Gaines on the No. 3 line.

Safety is deep, too, with senior Demetrious Cox and junior Montae Nicholson back as starters. Matt Morrissey is No. 2 behind Cox, followed by David Dowell. It’s Khari Willis or Grayson Miller behind Nicholson.

And Jalen Watts-Jackson, hero of the 2015 win over Michigan, is “participating to some degree,” Dantonio said, as his surgically repaired hip heals.

Contact Joe Rexrode: jrexrode@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @joerexrode. Check out his MSU blog at freep.com/heyjoe.

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