Michigan State guard J.D. Duplain ready to lead a deeper, healthier offensive line

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State’s offensive line has a chance to be one of the team’s most improved position groups this fall, thanks to the sheer number of available bodies at offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic’s disposal this year compared to last. Kapilovic enters the 2023 season with a good mix of experienced veterans and young, incoming talent in his room. 

Redshirt senior guard J.D. Duplain is one veteran who opted to return to East Lansing for the 2023 season. Duplain, who represented the program at Big Ten Media Days on Wednesday along with receiver Tre Mosley and linebacker Cal Haladay, believes Michigan State can accomplish more this season than its 5-7 record in 2022 might indicate. 

“Just knowing what we can accomplish this year as a team, I want to be a part of that,” Duplain said of his reason for returning to Michigan State. “Then having Coach Kap as my o-line coach, knowing that he’s going to make me the best player that I can be. And just being a part of this moment, this team and what we can accomplish this year.”

The Spartans had just five healthy offensive linemen on scholarship last year during spring practice. This year, they had 19. Michigan State is healthier and deeper at offensive line than it was at this point a year ago.

“Having that depth is huge for us,” Duplain said. “It starts in practice, being able to service ourselves in individual drills and getting good reps, and then having guys who can compete against each other. You know, iron sharpens iron, so having those guys who can step in when a guy goes down and there’s not that fall off, that’s huge for our team.”

Michigan State acquired top JUCO interior lineman Keyshawn Blackstock from Coffeyville Community College in December. He is set to compete for a starting job at left tackle during fall camp. 

The Spartans also earned commitments from four-star tackle Stanton Ramil (6-7, 310) and three star interior lineman Cole Dellinger (6-4, 290) as part of their 2023 recruiting class.

Add those three to a group that returns all but one starter, and Duplain believes Michigan State’s offensive line will be improved as a collective unit this season. Having enough quality depth also allows Michigan State to rotate players more frequently, keeping them healthy. 

A full-strength offensive line would pay dividends for the Spartans’ run game, which struggled to make an impact at times last season. 

“I’m really excited to see that running back room get to work this fall camp and this season,” Duplain said. “We brought in guys like (Jaren) Mangham, we brought in Nate Carter and (Jalen) Berger’s coming back. I think we have a really talented running back room and we’re getting on page with them, building our relationship with them each day, doing things outside of football. I’m really excited to see how they perform. I think they have a really special group.”

Carter, a transfer from Connecticut, impressed during spring practice. He and Berger will likely get a lot of touches this fall. Berger led Michigan State in rushing last season with 148 carries for 683 yards and six touchdowns. He averaged 4.6 yards per carry. 

Mangham transferred in from South Florida ahead of spring practice. A big-bodied running back, he provides the Spartans with plenty of experience and will be in the mix this season. 

Unlocking the run game would also alleviate some of the pressure that either Noah Kim or Katin Houser will face as a first-year starting quarterback. Should the offense muster up that kind of firepower, Michigan State would be one step closer to achieving Duplain’s sky-high goals for this fall. 

“I would say our goal as a team is to win every game on our schedule,” Duplain said. “That’s what we’re working for. That’s why we’re putting in so much work this offseason and during fall camp, how we’re going to be working. We want to be back here (at Lucas Oil Stadium). This is the end goal, always, and then wherever we go from there.”