Gholston selected No. 1 in spring game draft
It comes as little surprise that Will Gholston was the first player picked in the draft for this weekend's spring football game -- in fact, it comes as no surprise at all.
The dominant junior was an easy pick for the Green team. White team spokesperson Fou Fonoti said Gholston would have been its pick No. 1 as well.
“We wanted it to be Will,” Fonoti said. “He knows that he’s a playmaker. If anything, we’ve got to get playmakers off the board.”
Marcus Rush was the second pick, as the draft rules require a position group to be finished before moving to the next group. For example, once the underclassmen defensive ends all were selected, the White team selected linebacker Max Bullough.
The seniors were divided into the Green and White teams.
Larry Caper, Tyler Hoover, Steve Gardiner, Johnny Adams, Fou Fonoti and Arthur Ray Jr. make up the White team's leaders, with coach Terry Samuel.
Anthony Rashad White, Chris McDonald, Dan Conroy, Mitchell White and Ethan Ruhland form the Green team's seniors, and will be coached by Brad Salem.
As for surprises, Jeremy Gainer was the third defensive end taken, ahead of Joel Heath and Shilique Calhoun. Running back also slid down the board, which could indicate a good amount of balance at the position.
At offensive tackle, Dan France was the first pick, ahead of Skyler Burkland, giving some insight into how that battle is going this spring.
Andre Sims Jr. was taken as the first wide receiver, but the group was selected second-to-last, because of a lack of experience among the group. The second wide receiver picked was Jeremy Langford, who just moved to the position a couple weeks ago.
See video highlights of the draft from MSU All-Access. The Green and White game takes place at 1 p.m. Saturday.
The breakdown pick-by-pick: (h/t Hey Joe! Lansing State Journal)
* First pick: Green takes Gholston, White takes Rush, Green takes Jeremy Gainer, White takes Joel Heath, Green takes Shilique Calhoun.
* Second pick: Middle linebackers: White takes Max Bullough, Green gets TyQuan Hammock.
* Third pick: Guards/Centers: Green takes Travis Jackson, White takes Jack Allen, Green takes Blake Treadwell, White takes Connor Kruse, Green takes Donavon Clark, White takes Nate Klatt, Green takes Kyle Lints.
* Fourth pick: Offensive tackles: White takes Dan France, Green takes Skyler Burkland, White takes Henry Conway, Green takes Michael Dennis.
* Fifth pick: Tight ends: Green takes Dion Sims, White takes Andrew Gleichert, Green takes Denzel Drone, White takes Derek Hoebing.
* Sixth pick: Outside linebackers: White takes Denicos Allen, Green takes Kyler Elsworth, White takes Darien Harris, Green takes Taiwan Jones, White takes Ed Davis, Green takes Danny Folino, White takes Ty Hamilton.
* Seventh pick: Cornerbacks: Green takes Trae Waynes, White takes Mylan Hicks, Green takes Arjen Colquhoun.
* Eighth pick: Safeties: White takes Isaiah Lewis, Green takes Kurtis Drummond, White takes RJ Williamson, Green takes Jairus Jones, White takes Kyle Artinian.
* Ninth pick: Defensive tackle: Green takes James Kittredge, White takes Brandon Clemons, Green takes Matt Ramondo, White takes Micajah Reynolds, Green takes Matt Scarpinato.
* 10th pick: Fullbacks: White takes Niko Palazeti, Green takes Trevon Pendleton.
* 11th pick: Running backs: Green takes Le'Veon Bell, White takes Nick Hill.
* 12th pick: Wide receivers: White takes Andre Sims Jr, Green takes Jeremy Langford, White takes DeAnthony Arnett, Green takes Keith Mumphery, White takes Dana Dixon, Green takes John Jakubik, White takes AJ Troup, Green takes Juwan Caesar, White takes Kyle Kerrick, Green takes Jordan Benton, White takes Spencer Elliott.
* 13th pick: Kickers/Punters/Long snappers: Green takes Mike Sadler, White takes Kevin Muma. Green takes Matt Giampapa, White takes Steve Moore.
