Michigan State's offensive line received good news Sunday night as right tackle Fou Fonoti announced he will take a medical redshirt and return in 2013.
Fonoti suffered a broken foot in practice Sept. 13, two days before Michigan State's Week 3 showdown against Notre Dame. He underwent surgery the following day. There was a possibility the senior could return late in the year, but he has opted to come back next fall for a full season.
"It's been difficult to watch my teammates go through this grind and all of those nail-biting losses, but we remain positive," Fonoti said during Spartan Football All-Access, which airs on FOX Sports Detroit. "A lot of teams face adversity during the course of a season, but the important thing is how a team responds. I feel like we have ingredients to have a great team next year. Guys will remember how this season feels and all of the struggles, but we'll be positioned to take a huge step forward."
Fonoti, a junior-college transfer, started 11 games in 2011 and the first two this season before the injury. He has been a significant loss for Michigan State's offensive line and for an offense that ranks 11th in the Big Ten in scoring.
"Fou's ability to stay an extra year will help us tremendously," offensive line coach Mark Staten said. "He has game experience, a high football IQ and great leadership ability. Fou has the unique ability to pull the best out of everybody around him. He will help make the 2013 season very special."
