March 28, 2006

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Fourth-year Michigan State head coach John L. Smith sent his team through a two-hour workout in full pads on Tuesday, March 28 in the Duffy Daugherty Football Building, as the Spartans completed the third of 15 allotted spring practices.

"The first practice in full pads went okay," Smith said. "We had great excitement and enthusiasm in practice, but it seemed like the players forgot almost everything they learned in the first two practices. This is normally occurs because the guys are excited about putting the pads on so they can get after each other, and they pay a lot less attention to detail. There's a noticeable change in the practice atmosphere this spring because the players are having fun.

"We're still in the (playbook) instillation mode. We're going to continue to throw a lot of new material at them, so we expect to see a lot of mental mistakes. During the second half of spring ball, the focus will shift to sharpening the execution and eliminating the mental mistakes."

Despite being faced with the challenge of replacing three starters on the offensive line, Coach Smith is encouraged by what he has seen from right tackle Jesse Miller (6-6, 306, So.) and left guard Kenny Shane (6-5, 325, R-Jr.).

"I come away from practice every day more and more impressed with Jesse Miller," Smith said. "At times, his massive body seems to completely engulf the defender. Football is very important to Jesse, so he takes great pride in going to the field and competing. He's conditioning himself to be a winner in every aspect of the game as well as the game of life. This is a special quality that can't be coached. Jesse wants to win everything that he does whether it's a race against other offensive linemen or a 5-yard shuttle, a competition in the weight room or earning good grades in the classroom. He's simply a great competitor, on and off the field.

"Kenny Shane has a great physical presence when he's in the lineup. He's a tough guy that really packs a load when he hits you. It flat out hurts when he delivers a hit. He's just now beginning to understand the game and its mental demands. Kenny simply needs a ton of reps, but he's going to be a good player."

On the defensive side of the football, tackle Ogemdi Nwagbuo (6-4, 304, Jr.), a transfer from Southwestern College in Chula Vista, Calif., has earned high marks from the Spartan head coach.

"I really like what I've seen from O.G. (Ogemdi Nwagbuo) over the last three practices," Smith said. "He's getting better every day. O.G. is a big, strong inside guy that can run. Without a doubt, he's a guy that will step in and contribute this fall. O.G. still has a lot to learn, but he's got a big upside. He just does some things so naturally on the field, like pushing the pocket."

For the first time in Smith's tenure as head coach, linebacker depth is no longer a cause for concern. While David Herron Jr. (6-1, 252, Sr.) and Kaleb Thornhill (6-1, 235, Jr.) are proven commodities at linebacker, three returning lettermen plus two red-shirt freshmen and a pair of true freshmen also will push for playing time in 2006.

"I really like our depth at linebacker, and I like the way those guys are competing for reps," Smith said.

"David Herron Jr. is set to have a banner senior year. I'm so proud of what he's accomplished over the last three years. He's come a long way since he was forced to move from fullback - a position the spread offense eliminated - to linebacker. David is just begging to scratch the surface of his potential. He's invested a ton of time watching film and developing the instincts of a linebacker. Now, David looks so natural playing that position because he has tremendous range. We can line him up anywhere and he knows exactly where to fit in.

"He's also beginning to emerge as a leader on the defensive side of the ball. David isn't a natural leader, but he's starting to step up and become more vocal on the field.

"It's a great bonus if Seth Mitchell is able to work his way back from a serious knee injury, and earn a spot in the playing rotation," Smith continued. "Eric Andino has made significant strides since the end of last season. Eric has matured a ton, and he's stepped his game up. The young guys - Adam Decker, Andrew Hawken, Josh Rouse and Eric Gordon - all bring athleticism to the field. Their heads are swimming from information overload, but they've all showed great potential.

"With the improved depth at linebacker, I also expect several guys to play significant roles on special teams because they can all run and they like to hit."

The Spartans have two more practices scheduled this week: Thursday, March 30 at 3:30 p.m. and Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m.

"We're really looking forward to getting outside and practicing in Spartan Stadium Thursday," Smith said. "We've really been limited in the amount of time we've be able to work on the kicking game. We're excited about playing the game the way it's meant to be played - outdoors.

"Our focus is to continue to get better in practice. Our plan is to do less implementation on Thursday and concentrate more on sharper execution."

Michigan State's 2006 spring football calendar features two open practices in Spartan Stadium, weather permitting: Saturday, April 15 at 12 p.m. EDT and Friday, April 21 at 3:30 p.m. Admission is free for both workouts.

Additional Spring Football Notes:
• Fifth-year senior quarterback Drew Stanton (6-3, 230), who completed 236-of-354 throws for 3,077 yards and a school-record 22 TDs last season, ranks fourth among the top preseason candidates for the Heisman Trophy, according to a (top 15) list compiled by NationalChamps.net. As a junior, Stanton accounted for a Spartan single-season record 3,415 total yards and 26 touchdowns. He also ranked among the NCAA's Top 10 in both total offense (No. 8 at 310.5 yards per game) and passing efficiency (No. 10 with a 153.4 rating) in 2005.

Quarterback Drew Stanton ranks fourth among the top preseason candidates for the Heisman Trophy, according to a list compiled by NationalChamps.net.

"It's a great honor to be ranked among the NCAA's elite players," Stanton said. "However, I didn't come back for my fifth year to pursue individual honors or set any school passing records. I came back to help Michigan State win football games. At the end of the year, I'll be judged just like any major league pitcher: by my win-loss record."