15 Michigan State Players Don’t Participate In Spring Game


Michigan State held its spring football game on Saturday. But 15 players sat out of the contest, raising more questions in East Lansing.


Coming off of a disastrous 3-9 season (1-8 in Big Ten), one that featured a seven-game losing streak, Mark Dantonio knows that he has to get his Michigan State program back on track if it wants to be a Big Ten East division contender once again.

Complicating matters is an ongoing investigation into an alleged sexual assault involving three unidentified Spartan players and the suspension of staff member Curtis Blackwell.

On Saturday, Michigan State held its annual spring game at Spartan Stadium. And the team was without a slew of players.

According to MLive.com, 15 players did not participate in the event, with at least 10 being limited to the sidelines in sweatsuits. The most significant name missing from the game was running back LJ Scott, a starter who has been a key piece of the team’s offensive backfield. All of the players, however, were listed on the roster that was handed out to members of the media before the game, so there are plenty of questions as to why the players that sat out were not involved in the contest. The players not seen either on the field or on the sideline were: Drew Beesley, Josh Butler, Demetrius Cooper, Donnie Corley, Felton Davis, Messiah deWeaver, Josh King, Kenney Lyke, Scott, Kyonta Stallworth, Tyson Smith, Brandon Sowards, Demetric Vance, Jalen Watts-Jackson and Khari Willis.

Dantonio held a press conference last Tuesday as the team finished up early preparations for the 2017 college football season, but he vaguely discussed the allegations and investigations.

Michigan State and Dantonio had announced that several players were suspended this spring but have declined to mention any names connected to the probe or who is out injured. It remains to be seen how long we will have to wait to find out who exactly is involved in the ongoing investigation.

MORE: NC State Looks For Offensive Improvement As Spring Ball Concludes