Michigan State picks captains 3 others join QB in leading team

EAST LANSING -- Michigan State coach John L. Smith decided to try something different to give his players more say over the direction of their team.

Instead of selecting captains himself, he let players vote for the teammates they believed would make the best leaders.

Turns out the players think a lot like their coaches.

MSU announced Monday that quarterback Drew Stanton, center Kyle Cook, linebacker David Herron Jr. and defensive tackle Clifton Ryan had been selected as team captains.

All four are fifth-year seniors. And Stanton and Ryan are entering a second season in the captain role -- something only six other Spartans have done.

Stanton said the position means more to him this year because of the nature of his selection.

"It's an honor any time your teammates vote for you as captain," Stanton said. "I have to take more of a leadership role and be ready to do whatever is necessary to help this team."

As for Cook and Herron, coaches have looked to them as team leaders since the spring because of their experience and production on the field. Cook and Herron also represented MSU at the Big Ten media days in Chicago earlier this month, along with Stanton.

"Kyle does a great job with the offensive line," Stanton said. "Those guys over there (Herron and Ryan), both of those guys have stepped out of their shell a little bit and taken more of a vocal role on the defensive side of the ball, and that helps tremendously. When they talk, the younger guys have been listening a lot."

MSU will hold another scrimmage Thursday before beginning preparations for the season-opener against Idaho on Sept. 2.