More coverage to come.
This is the first piece:
Cox, Bullough, O'Connor named captains
Jim Comparoni | Editor
Demetrious Cox, Riley Bullough and Tyler O'Connor came in as recruits in 2012 and will now be captains of the 2016 Michigan State Spartans.
EAST LANSING | Michigan State’s three new captains include a player who has waited four years for a chance to be a starter, a player who seems to be steadily transforming into a superstar, and a legacy name who has prepared his entire life for this moment.
Quarterback Tyler O’Connor, safety Demetrious Cox and middle linebacker Riley Bullough were named captains after practice on Thursday as the camp portion of the preseason concluded.
The three players came in together as part of the 2012 recruiting class, and will lead this year as fifth-year seniors.
O’Connor (6-3, 228, Lima, Ohio) was named the starting quarterback, officially, by head coach Mark Dantonio on Monday. Being named captain three days later closes out a memorable week for him, but more memories are set to come.
“I had hoped that it was coming all along and I had felt the respect from the teammates and everything but it’s awesome to actually hear Coach D say it and to know that you have the respect and the votes from your teammates and that they chose me to be one of their leaders,” O’Connor said.
Cox (6-1, 197, Jeannette, Pa.) was the highest-ranked player and biggest-name member of the 2012 recruiting class. After redshirting in 2012, he made as slow, steady climb into the playing group, and then the starting lineup in 2015, resulting in being named third-team All-Big Ten a year ago. Now, Cox is poised for further breakout performances in 2016.
“The past couple of years, I feel like being vocal and picking people up around me has been my goal and I think that’s where this has come from,” Cox said.
Bullough (6-2, 227, Traverse City) was second-team All-Big Ten in 2015 and was regarded by most observers as a lock for captaincy since Jan. 1. He becomes the third member of his family to be named captain at Michigan State. His father, Shane, was captain in 1986 and his brother, Max, was captain in 2013.
“I was extremely excited (to be named captain),” Bullough said. “We have a ton of great leaders on this team and a ton of great people and to be voted one of the three that represents us means a lot.”
The Spartans were released following practice for a three days off. They will begin game-week preparation on Sunday for the season opener against Furman a week from Friday.
“Oh man, I can’t wait,” Bullough said. “I can’t wait. When you’re in camp, you’re kind of in a bubble and you don’t leave. But now that we’re out, we’re on campus, we’re in the stadium a little bit, so all of us are extremely excited.”
Stay tuned to SpartanMag.com for video and more content on today's captain selections.
This is the first piece:
Cox, Bullough, O'Connor named captains
Jim Comparoni | Editor
Demetrious Cox, Riley Bullough and Tyler O'Connor came in as recruits in 2012 and will now be captains of the 2016 Michigan State Spartans.
EAST LANSING | Michigan State’s three new captains include a player who has waited four years for a chance to be a starter, a player who seems to be steadily transforming into a superstar, and a legacy name who has prepared his entire life for this moment.
Quarterback Tyler O’Connor, safety Demetrious Cox and middle linebacker Riley Bullough were named captains after practice on Thursday as the camp portion of the preseason concluded.
The three players came in together as part of the 2012 recruiting class, and will lead this year as fifth-year seniors.
O’Connor (6-3, 228, Lima, Ohio) was named the starting quarterback, officially, by head coach Mark Dantonio on Monday. Being named captain three days later closes out a memorable week for him, but more memories are set to come.
“I had hoped that it was coming all along and I had felt the respect from the teammates and everything but it’s awesome to actually hear Coach D say it and to know that you have the respect and the votes from your teammates and that they chose me to be one of their leaders,” O’Connor said.
Cox (6-1, 197, Jeannette, Pa.) was the highest-ranked player and biggest-name member of the 2012 recruiting class. After redshirting in 2012, he made as slow, steady climb into the playing group, and then the starting lineup in 2015, resulting in being named third-team All-Big Ten a year ago. Now, Cox is poised for further breakout performances in 2016.
“The past couple of years, I feel like being vocal and picking people up around me has been my goal and I think that’s where this has come from,” Cox said.
Bullough (6-2, 227, Traverse City) was second-team All-Big Ten in 2015 and was regarded by most observers as a lock for captaincy since Jan. 1. He becomes the third member of his family to be named captain at Michigan State. His father, Shane, was captain in 1986 and his brother, Max, was captain in 2013.
“I was extremely excited (to be named captain),” Bullough said. “We have a ton of great leaders on this team and a ton of great people and to be voted one of the three that represents us means a lot.”
The Spartans were released following practice for a three days off. They will begin game-week preparation on Sunday for the season opener against Furman a week from Friday.
“Oh man, I can’t wait,” Bullough said. “I can’t wait. When you’re in camp, you’re kind of in a bubble and you don’t leave. But now that we’re out, we’re on campus, we’re in the stadium a little bit, so all of us are extremely excited.”
Stay tuned to SpartanMag.com for video and more content on today's captain selections.
