Michigan State preseason roster released: Notes & Observations

The Michigan State Spartans officially released the 2018 preseason roster on Tuesday.

The roster currently includes 119 players, which (in terms of eligibility) includes 48 freshmen, 32 sophomores, 20 juniors and 19 seniors.

Here are just a few notes and observations I wanted to call out about the roster:

• Jon Reschke, who left the team in 2017 after making racially-motivated comments, is back on the roster. However, his standing with the team is in a step-by-step process according to head coach Mark Dantonio.
• Jack Camper, who was recruited as a tight end in 2017 and redshirted last year, is making the full-time switch to defensive end. He started practicing the position toward the end of the season last year. Matt Seybert also made the move from tight end to defensive end in the spring.
• True freshman wide receiver Julian Major is listed on the roster, but he is “in flux” due to academic reasons. Major was an early-enrollee in January, but left the school in the spring after struggling with the college transition. Dantonio and Major hope to have this settled by the end of July.
• In addition to Major, all of the 2018 signees are listed on the roster with positions and numbers. As expected, “athlete” and Michigan Mr. Football La’Darius Jefferson is listed as a running back. Fellow “athlete,” four-star Xavier Henderson is listed as a safety. Three-star Javez Alexander, as expected, will play wide receiver.
• Tight end Jonathan Brys is a transfer from New Mexico. He is a Jackson, Michigan native and was high school teammates with Khari Willis at Jackson Lumen Christi. Brys left New Mexico before the 2017 season. Speaking of Willis, be sure to check out his awesome keynote speech at the Big Ten Media Day kickoff luncheon.
• Brandon Randle is listed as a linebacker. He worked at defensive end as well last season, and saw action in all 13 games. Could he push Tyriq Thompson for the starting strong-side linebacker position?

The most intriguing storyline to follow is Reschke, and whether or not he will be fully re-instated and participate in camp. With that said, Reschke seems to have the support of his teammates, including the African-American players. According to the Detroit Free Press, by way of an MSU spokesperson, the NCAA has already granted Reschke a medical waiver and sixth year of eligibility.

With fall camp set to begin soon, what other storylines are you going to be looking out for with the team? Let us know in the comments section.