Michigan State spring football game

DeAnthony Arnett has shined in Michigan State's Green-White spring games, but that has yet to translate into the regular seasons.

(J. Scott Park | MLive.com)

EAST LANSING -- Most of the attention at Michigan State's one-day camp on June 13 was on the prospects running through drills and wearing helmets.

Perhaps more noteworthy, however, was one of the few Spartans' receivers chosen to work the camp and demonstrate in exemplary fashion -- DeAnthony Arnett.

Football seldom offers any guarantees, and in the case of Arnett, there will be many Michigan State fans who will have to see it to believe it where it concerns the gifted Saginaw receiver making a significant impact.

"I'll just say this,'' MSU receivers coach Terrence Samuel said last week, "DeAnthony is the best he's ever been.''

There's still a long summer ahead, and that will mean several workouts with quarterback Connor Cook and lifts and conditioning drills to go through.

But Arnett made it clear through spring drills he was ready to reach and maintain the top of his game.

"I just think it was my physicality, being able to block DBs, and going up and snatching the ball, and just getting back to myself, my old self, and doing what I do best,'' Arnett said after his five-catch performance in the Green-White game.

"I have to continue to push, I can't get relaxed, so I'll continue to push,'' he said. "But I'm way different, I'm stronger, I'm faster, I run better routes, my whole game has changed.''

Co-offensive coordinator Jim Bollman, who along with Dave Warner designs the Spartans' offense around the players' strengths, has said Arnett is indeed making strides.

"He had a great spring, he's learning the offense still and getting more comfortable in his role,'' Bollman said.

MSU coach Mark Dantonio closed spring drills saying much the same.

"He's an effective player, has big play perspective and we've got to wait for him to break out," Dantonio said. "It will be a great story."

The fact Arnett was chosen as a camp counselor offers no guarantees, but it was another positive step toward what Spartans' fans are hoping will be a happy ending to Arnett's career at Michigan State in 2015.

Arnett has played in 12 career games for the Spartans and has six receptions for 87 yards.

Prior to transferring to Michigan State, Arnett played in 12 games as a true freshman at Tennessee in 2011 where he had 24 catches for 242 yards and two touchdowns.

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