Jonathan Smith says Day One of Michigan State fall camp 'a lot cleaner' than last year

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Pads aren’t cracking just yet at Michigan State, or other schools across the country, but the first day of fall camp for the Spartans ushered in blast of energy and optimism for second-year head coach Jonathan Smith and his troops.  “First day, in a helmet-only, I thought it was a really good start,” Smith said shortly after noon on Tuesday, following the morning practice, which began around 10 a.m. in balmy conditions but ended with humid temperatures in the mid-80s.  “It got a little warm toward the end, but it was almost perfect,” Smith said. There was a lot of square-one teaching and instruction taking place Tuesday. “We were just in helmets; we’re not doing a ton of team period,” Smith said. “Heavy amount on the fundamentals in day one. So it’s a heavy emphasis on your stance, your start, your footwork. Do a lot of formation recognition, especially on the defensive side, and just making calls and those kind of things.” Michigan State will practice in shells (helmets and shoulder pads) Thursday through Saturday. Michigan State will practice in full pads for the first time on Monday. Michigan State returns five full-time starters on offense and four on defense from a team that went 5-7 last year, plus eight others with starting experience, plus 23 transfers, almost all of whom have starting experience at other schools.  “We had good energy out there,” Smith said. “A lot of work has been put in this summer, getting ready for this day and this month.” The returning full-time starters on offense include QB Aidan Chiles, TE Jack Velling, WR Nick Marsh, LT Stanton Ramil and RT Ashton Lepo. Lepo is back after missing the spring with an undisclosed ailment. Lepo is expected to compete with Montana State transfer Conner Moore for the starting right tackle job. SpartanMag projects Moore as the starter, but Lepo will have a chance to retain his job through the course of fall camp. Additional offensive players with starting experience include offensive guards Gavin Broscious (6-4, 302, R-Jr., Surprise, Ariz.) and Kristian Phillips (6-4, 310, R-Jr., Conyers, Ga.). (More inside SpartanMag.)