2010 Spartan Nation Football Profile: Larry Caper RB #22

 

Caper will have a tremendous 2010 season as this young star continues to mature. Photo courtesy MSU SID.

Expectation:Â starting RB

 

Height:  5’11”

 

Weight:Â 223#

 

2010 Eligibility: sophomore

 

EXP:Â 1 letter

 

Status:Â starting RB

 

Strengths: Caper is a talented and gifted back. You can NEVER question the heart of Caper and his effort. Against Purdue at the 5:11 mark of the second quarter the Spartans had a first and 20 at the Boilers 49. The Spartans had Baker and Caper in the backfield and on a fake to Baker Caper took the ball and popped outside for 11 yards. He may not have the speed to burn like Baker, but he is fast and his heads up style allows him to pick and choose.

 

Weakness: With Caper, weakness isn’t really an issue. It is more about reps and experience for the youngster. We all know about his heroic efforts to win the UM game, but let’s look at two examples from that UM game of his need for experience.

 

In the first quarter with 1:22 to play the Spartans had a first and ten at the MSU 11. He fumbled the ball. He had only one hand on it. Luckily for MSU, Charlie Gantt recovered the ball, but that one simple technique issue of not having two hands on the ball could have been costly.

 

Yet another example from the UM game came in the second quarter with 12:04 on the clock and at the UM 49. Again, he only had one hand on the ball and he fumbled yet and lost six yards. Caper got grace for his fumbles as a freshman, but he won’t be allowed to do that again in 2010.

 

Final Analysis: Caper’s character and integrity match his immense talent and you saw that talent on display in 2009. He is poised for a great 2010 season and is a star in the making.

 

Next up: Alex Shackleton SN