Michigan State Spartans
The first name that comes to everyone’s mind when speaking of the NFL Draft
and the MSU Spartans is Charles Rogers, and justifiably so. Rogers is a
faster and more consistent version of Plaxico Burress. He is a game controlling
receiver yet at the same time one that will break a contest open with his speed. He
dominates opponents over the middle or in the red-zone, all along
possessing the
abilities to outrun them down the flanks. Rogers is a big-play receiver and the
"go-to guy" opponents fear. He has big time potential at the next
level but needs to refine the skills of his position (route running,
concentration, catching the ball before running with it) yet all things
considered will be the first or second wide out selected in ’03 should he opt
for the draft. One senior that will get draft consideration, though it will be
in the later frames, is fullback Dawan Moss, who moves to tailback this
season. Moss is an athletic prospect with decent size/speed numbers and
efficient in what he does. He is neither explosive nor dominant at the point and
has difficulty finishing off opponents as a lead fullback, though he gives top
effort. Tackle Ulish Booker also displays adequate athleticism and though
sized nicely, rarely plays with good strength to the point where he's constantly
walked back into the quarterback from the blind side. Looking at him Booker has size
potential and is a solid developmental prospect. MSU has a lot of undeveloped
juniors that could move themselves onto radar screens should they improve their
games. Jeff Smoker is a thrower with a live arm and a tough quarterback
but sprays his passes around the field and must improve not only the accuracy of
his balls but overall throwing technique. Steve Stewart is a huge and
powerful right tackle that must also improve his fundamentals and learn to play
under control. We ranked center Brian Ottney relatively high prior to
last season, as he’s a powerful pivot player that opens the middle of the
field for the running game. He's also stiff and only effective in confined
quarters, which will push his grade down somewhat.
If things pan out the Spartans could have one of the best defensive secondary’s
in the nation. Cedric Henry returns from academic suspension while DeMario
Suggs puts the pads on after sitting out most of the entire ’01 season
with a bad ankle. Both have nice cover skills and are late round considerations.
Boderick Nelson is another senior corner with adequate cover skills but a
player that breaks up a lot of throws and gets beat deep with the same regularity. Thomas
Wright is a hard-hitting safety that throws his body around the field and
intimidates opponents. To his credit Wright plays a disciplined brand of
football, keeping the action in front of him and taking good angles to the ball
carrier. He does not have the speed you want in a deep centerfielder nor the
great size for a strong safety. Still; he looks like solid value in the
middle-to-late frames. A few underclassmen to keep an eye on are defensive end Greg
Tarplin, an undersized but athletic pass rusher with a good degree of upside
potential and sophomore safety Robert Flagg, and athletic and speedy
defensive back with a bright future.
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