Kittredge listed among spring surprises

Michigan State needs to replace Jerel Worthy in the middle of its defense this year, and one of the leading candidates is redshirt sophomore James Kittredge.

So, for Spartans fans it is a welcome sight to see Kittredge listed among the top 10 most pleasant surprise players of the spring by CBSSports' Bruce Feldman.

Kittredge checked in at the eight spot on the list.

"The Spartans defense once again should be pretty nasty ... ," Feldman said. "Enter Kittredge, a 6-3, 285-pound former Vandy O-lineman from New Jersey who created a lot of buzz isnide the MSU program this spring."

As Feldman noted, Kittredge transferred from Vanderbilt before the 2011 season, which he sat out. He played as a freshman on the offensive line at Vanderbilt.

The story also quoted Pat Narduzzi as saying, "(Kittredge is) tough, has a great motor and is a quick-twitch."

Kittredge had two tackles in the spring game.

Other candidates to plug the spot left by Worthy include Brandon Clemons and Matt Ramondo.

Ohio State fullback Zach Boren also made the list, as the only representative of the Big Ten.