After offseason of attrition, Michigan State's depth chart talented but thin, young

Chris Solari , Chris Solari | Lansing State Journal

Show Caption Hide Caption Michigan State players focused on improvement Michigan State football players are working to put behind last year's struggles and off-season turmoil.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State’s fall football roster is now settled. Mostly.

Josh King, Donnie Corley, Demetric Vance and Auston Robertson – all of whom were charged with sexual assault in two separate incidents – have been dismissed.

Jon Reschke, Thiyo Lukusa, Vayante Copeland and Kenney Lyke also are gone, making eight potential starters who are no longer with the program. An ninth, Demetrius Cooper, remains in limbo.

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There could be more attrition and additions. But coach Mark Dantonio’s 11th team still possesses a good amount of talent despite a small group of veterans and an unexpected lack of depth with all of the losses.

OFFENSE

QUARTERBACKS

Starter: Brian Lewerke

Competitors: Damion Terry, Messiah deWeaver

Redshirt: Rocky Lombardi

Outlook: Lewerke emerged from spring workouts as the next starter, partly because of his play after a broken leg and partly because both Terry and deWeaver were held out with injuries. Both of them will be pushing Lewerke for playing time should he falter early, but Lewerke also has shown to be one of the team’s best leaders as a redshirt sophomore.

RUNNING BACK

Starter: LJ Scott

Competitors: Gerald Holmes, Madre London

Redshirt: Connor Heyward

Outlook: The three-headed backfield beast is back. Scott, who Dantonio said is 100% healthy, will need to curb his fumbling issues. Holmes is becoming one of the team’s vocal leaders as a senior, and his bullish style complements the shiftiness of Scott and London. London flashed better speed off the edge in the spring game, which could lead to more carries.

WIDE RECEIVERS

Starters: Cam Chambers, Trishton Jackson

Competitors: Justin Layne, Felton Davis, Darrell Stewart, Cody White, Hunter Rison

Redshirt: Laress Nelson, C.J. Hayes

Outlook: The loss of Donnie Corley, though an impact player as a freshman, may be the one the Spartans can overcome the most because of the depth they’ve built at wideout. Jackson proved to be the breakout star of the spring, while Chambers showed sure-handedness after sitting out as a redshirt. Layne could be a game-changer if others step up at cornerback, and both Davis and Stewart will have chances to be veteran leaders. Rison and White are likely the closest to the field among the true freshmen, but Hayes also could impress in camp.

TIGHT END

Starter: Matt Sokol

Competitors: Matt Dotson, Matt Seybert, Noah Davis

Redshirt: Jack Camper

Outlook: Former high school QB Sokol is the only tight end with any experience, and it’s minimal after playing behind Josiah Price and Jamal Lyles last year. Dotson arrives with much fanfare and could evolve into a primary pass-catching target. Seybert is a Buffalo transfer who could be a solid third tight end, but Camper also will have a chance to earn playing time as a true freshman.

OFFENSIVE LINE

Starters: LT Cole Chewins, LG Tyler Higby, C Brian Allen, RG David Beedle, RT Luke Campbell

Competitors: Dennis Finley, Matt Allen, AJ Arcuri, Kevin Jarvis, Jordan Reid

Redshirt: Matt Carrick, Mustafa Khaleefah

Outlook: It’s a young group but perhaps one with the deepest talent pool and upside on the team, even with the loss of Lukusa. Brian Allen is the anchor and could move around as needed. Chewins and Higby, before his broken ankle, showed late in the season they could become hole-creators and QB-protectors on the left side. Campbell’s rapid development this spring allowed for Beedle’s move inside. Coaches raved about both Matt Allen and Arcuri last fall. And the well-regarded true freshman group of Jarvis, Reid, Carrick and Khaleefah will push the veterans for prominent roles.

DEFENSE

DEFENSIVE LINE

Starters: DE Demetrius Cooper OR Dillon Alexander, DE Kenny Willekes OR Robert Bowers; DT Mike Panasiuk, DT Raequan Williams

Competitors: DE Justice Alexander, DE Mufi Hill-Hunt, DE DeAri Todd, DT Naquan Jones, DT Devyn Salmon

Redshirt: DE Lashawn Paulino-Bell, DE Jacub Panasiuk

Outlook: Once again, the depth on the front four is a question mark. The status of both Cooper and Bowers remains in limbo for a position that already loses Josh King and Auston Robertson to dismissal. Willekes had a strong spring, and Dillon Alexander showed flashes off the edge last year, particularly against Ohio State. Both Todd and the Jacub Panasiuk also might impress enough in camp to join the thin playing group. Inside, the loss of Malik McDowell is offset by the experience both Williams and Mike Panasiuk gained a year ago. Jones could become a big contributor after redshirting.

LINEBACKERS

Starters: MIKE Joe Bachie, STAR Andrew Dowell, SAM Chris Frey

Competitors: Shane Jones, Byron Bullough, Brandon Randle, Tyriq Thompson, Antjuan Simmons,

Redshirt: Darien Tipps-Clemons, Noah Harvey

Outlook: The Dowell and Frey duo provides experience and quickness off the edge. How Bachie responds to taking over in the middle in just his second year in the program is one of the most important questions for the defense. Jones provides a veteran presence and also has middle linebacker experience, while youngsters Randle and Simmons are poised for productive careers when they get their chance.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

Starters: CB Justin Layne, CB Josiah Scott, S Grayson Miller, S Khari Willis

Competitors: CB Josh Butler, CB T.J. Harrell, CB Emmanuel Flowers, CB Tre Person, CB Tyson Smith, S David Dowell, S Jalen Watts-Jackson, S Austin Andrews, S Matt Morrissey

Redshirt: S Dominique Long

Outlook: Along with defensive line, this is the most worrisome area for MSU after program attrition. Gone are Vayante Copeland, Kenney Lyle, Corley and Kaleel Gaines. Smith could join them if the stroke he suffered last season affects his ability to play. Layne likely will get his most work at cornerback with the losses, and Scott looked impressive during the spring game as an early-enrolled freshman. MSU could also use either Person or Flowers, or both, as true freshmen. Willis and Miller return the most experience at safety, but Dowell and Andrews both are fast-risers who could become impact players.

SPECIALISTS

Punter: Jake Hartbarger

Kicker: Matt Coghlin OR Cole Hahn

Kickoffs: Cole Hahn

Punt return: Stewart or Jackson

Kick return: Stewart or Jackson

Potential contributors: Brandon Sowards, Rison, White, Person

Outlook: Hartbarger remains entrenched as punter, but what happens at kicker should be interesting. Coghlin appeared to have the edge in the spring game, but Dantonio brought in big-legged Hahn from Iowa as a late scholarship addition. Getting more out of the return game will be critical, and both Stewart and Jackson got their shot during the spring with Sowards out. MSU needs to find R.J. Shelton’s replacement on kickoff returns.

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari. Download our Spartans Xtra app for free on Apple and Android devices!