Potential Problems on the O-line

There's much buzz in the blogosphere that Skyler Burkland has retired from football.  Many are freaking out about this development, and I'm one of them. You see, the Spartans can still survive this year without Burkland -- as long as they don't lose any other starters -- but we're now getting pretty close to experiencing a major loss of depth for 2014.  Here's a list of O-linemen currently on the roster.

Kodi Kieler	C	RS FR
Zach Higgins	OG	RS FR
Benny McGowan	OG	RS FR
Jack Conklin	OL	RS FR
Kyle Lints	C	SO
Donavon Clark	OG	SO
Adam Brown	OG	SO
Jack Allen	OL	SO
Travis Jackson	C	JR
Connor Kruse	OG	JR
Shawn Kamm	OT	JR
Michael Dennis	OT	JR
Blake Treadwell	OG	SR
Dan France	OL	SR
Derek Hoebing	OT	SR
Henry Conway	OT	SR
Fou Fonoti	OT	SR

There are now 17 O-linemen on the roster, and OT Dennis Finley will be joining the roster in the fall.  So those are actually pretty good numbers, overall and in terms of experience. The Spartans are still in decent shape for 2013.

For 2014, however, the O-line looks like it could take a big step back, particularly in terms of experience. After this season, the Spartans look set to lose 6 O-linemen: 5 seniors (3 of which will likely be starters), and Burkland (who was likely slated to start in 2014).  That is a lot of experience to lose in one year.

The starters for 2014 could still be pretty solid.  Jackson will be a senior at center.  Allen and Clark should be solid guards. Hopefully, Conklin will be living up to some of the hype and emerge as a starting left tackle.  And hopefully, Finley will be able to start at right tackle as a redshirt freshman. After that, the Spartans are going to be counting on some of the other young guys to step up and provide some depth.  Guys like Kieler, Higgins, and McGowan.  It could all work out, or guys could struggle to emerge and create a huge problem for MSU at O-line.

As for recruiting, the 2014 class won't provide much help their first year, but the loss of Burkland likely means the coaches will need to take 5 O-linemen in this class. Two of those will have to be tackles.