Dantonio impressed with quarterbacks

EAST LANSING - The Michigan State football team held its fourth practice of spring sessions on Tuesday, and the first one to feature full contact.

There's still much to learn as the Spartans move toward the April 25 spring game at Spartan Stadium, which will be the 15th and final practice. So far, coach Mark Dantonio has been impressed with both quarterbacks - Kirk Cousins and Keith Nichol - who are competing for the starting job.

"Kirk Cousins has a great hold on the offense right now," Dantonio said. "Keith Nichol's learning, there's still a learning curve, but he's made great plays as well."

Other tidbits from Dantonio:

• Antonio Jeremiah is working at both offensive and defensive line this week and will end up "where he plays best," Dantonio said.

• Asked if he's more laid-back during spring ball, Dantonio noted that each player is rated from 0 to 12 on each practice.

"It's a business, and I don't know if you could say I'm laid-back, but I try to smile a little more."

• The early-enrolled freshmen, Patrick White and Donald Spencer, both are working at defensive back. Spencer started at receiver but has been moved to defense because of some injuries in the secondary, Dantonio said.

• Dantonio is getting a lot of calls from NFL personnel people on various seniors with pro aspirations. He said running back Javon Ringer has been hanging around and even showed up at a 5:30 a.m. workout session.

"A lot of these guys don't know what to do with themselves," Dantonio said.

• The football team is excited about the men's basketball team's Final Four run, Dantonio said, although some players were disappointed to find out that they won't be able to get tickets.

Overall, the basketball team has served Dantonio well as an inspiration to his team.

"The biggest thing is the message to our players," he said. "'You don't have to look too far for excellence here.'"