ESPN College Football

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Running the football is the easy part for Michigan State freshmen Edwin Baker and Larry Caper.

It's the reason why they're both at Michigan State. It's the reason why the Spartans fully expect both to get carries this fall as the team tries to replace Doak Walker Award finalist Javon Ringer, who accounted for nearly 41 percent of the team's offensive production in 2008.

With the starting running back spot still very much up for grabs, Baker and Caper both feel they can contribute right away.

"I feel I'm ready," Baker said. "There are still things I need to work on, but I can be a good asset for this team."

There's little doubt what Baker and Caper can do with the ball in their hands, but both players still need to become more complete running backs at the college level. Pass blocking is the top priority for both freshmen, who haven't fully grasped the complexities of their assignments.

Ringer earned high marks in pass protection despite his smallish frame, and Michigan State tied for fourth in the Big Ten in fewest sacks allowed last fall (24). The Spartans would have finished higher if not for their final two games, when they allowed a combined nine sacks to Penn State and Georgia.

"The coaches are chewing my head off [about pass blocking]," said Baker, who has a similar frame to Ringer and once rushed for 462 yards in a game. "In high school, I was asked to block the quarterback's left side or right side. I wasn't asked to check the A-gap or B-gap."

The 5-11, 215-pound Caper certainly has the size to be a strong pass blocker, but he's adjusting to the added responsibility backs have in college ball.

"Everybody has to block in football, but it's more intense now that one assignment can blow the whole play," said Caper, who rushed for 4,226 yards as a prep star. "It wasn't like that in high school. But I'm adjusting to it. I just need to know what I'm doing and when."

The good news for both freshmen is they'll likely have the chance to improve without redshirting this season. Head coach Mark Dantonio recently told reporters that the two freshmen are "explosively college-ready."

Caper was pleased with his performance in a freshman-only scrimmage Monday, saying he averaged about five yards a carry.

"I run with a passion," he said. "I don't like to go down easy or run out of bounds or anything like that. I try to never let up, make sure I finish every run."

And every block.