Football veterans out of top positions

---

Tweet Chicago — First-year football head coach Mark Dantonio admitted Tuesday that change is tough, and MSU's preseason depth chart shows he's not joking.

While senior Terry Love and sophomore T.J. Williams were speculated as the starting wide receivers for the upcoming season, juniors Deon Curry and Devin Thomas are slated at the top two spots for the position on the depth chart.

"We went through spring ball, and I'd say all those guys … T.J. Williams, Terry Love - they all played pretty much in and out," Dantonio said at the Big Ten media conference. "We need to do better at that position; we need to be more consistent."

Love, who had 18 receptions for 234 yards last season, is listed fourth, and Williams, who ranked fourth on the team in receptions last year, is not even on the depth chart.

Williams still is on the team, but it is unclear when or if he will begin practice. Senior linebacker SirDarean Adams also has taken a back seat, listed as second string to redshirt freshman Eric Gordon.

Recruit has surgery

Incoming freshman linebacker Arthur Ray Jr. had "extensive surgery" for 14 hours to remove a tumor from his leg Monday, Dantonio said.

"He is in good spirits, and it was a very successful surgery," he said. "Our hearts go out to him and his family."

The 6-foot-3, 294-pound recruit from Chicago wants to begin school at MSU in September but that may be pushed back to January, Dantonio said.

"He wants to play football again," he said. "Maybe a year and a half, maybe a year, maybe two years - we don't really know. But the attitude he has displayed as a person throughout the entire process is unbelievable."

Vying for time

A number of freshmen recruits have shown potential in workouts and spring training, and with Dantonio's emphasis on an open playing field for all positions, they will be working hard to get playing time.

Andre Anderson, a 5-foot-9, 182-pound running back, has impressed Dantonio with his maturity.

"Anderson has shown some things in winter workouts, in several workouts," he said. "He'll have an outstanding career at Michigan State."

Gordon, who is the No. 1 weakside linebacker over Adams, was a spring standout, averaging 9 tackles during three scrimmages, including four for losses.

Dantonio also said the incoming freshmen receiving corps of Mark Dell, B.J. Cunningham and Chris D. Rucker were "outstanding."

With the shuffling starting spots at wide receiver, they could very well be making a push for snaps on the field.

"I can tell you that we're very, very excited about the attitude of our players and the attitude of our fans," Dantonio said. "We're excited to see where we're at as we move into August here."

Jon Schultz can be reached at schul320@msu.edu.

---