Spring ball has come and gone, the first in Jonathan Smith’s tenure with Michigan State football, and the Spartans are gearing up for the 2024 campaign.
There has been a lot of roster movement heading into Jonathan Smith’s first year with the program, and with the departures and additions that have come in the spring transfer portal window.
With the excitement of Smith’s first year at the head of the program starting to take over, let’s say how the Spartans may line up on week one against Florida Atlantic:
Quarterback
1st string: Aidan Chiles, Soph. (Oregon State transfer)
2nd string: Tommy Schuster, R-SR (North Dakota transfer)
3rd string: Alessio Milivojevic, FR OR Rylan Jessee, FR
Analysis: Nothing has changed here from before spring, Chiles will still lead the way with a veteran backup in Schuster.
Running Back
1st string: Nathan Carter, R-JR OR Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, R-SR (UMass transfer)
2nd string: Brandon Tullis, FR OR Makhi Frazier, FR
Analysis: The last edition of this was vastly different. Carter was alone at the top, while the second string featured Jalen Berger, Jaren Mangham and Jaelon Barbarin, all of which have now transferred. Now, the Spartans added Lynch-Adams, who will lead the way with Carter, but the second string is definitely a young unit. Don’t be surprised if they add a backup running back via the portal before the summer.
Wide Receiver
1st string: Montorie Foster, R-SR, Alante Brown, R-SR, Ron Glover, R-Soph
2nd string: Antonio Gates Jr., R-Soph, Aziah Johnson, RS-FR, Nick Marsh, FR
Analysis: The Spartans lost Purdue transfer TJ Sheffield, but that loss shouldn’t be felt too much. While the Spartans are still looking in the portal for one more receiver, the staff feels comfortable with the mix of experience and youth that will be out there for the Spartans in 2024.
Tight End
1st string: Jack Velling, JR (Oregon State transfer), Brennan Parachek, Soph
2nd string: Ademola Faleye, R-JR, Michael Masunas, R-Soph, Tyneil Hopper, R-SR
Analysis: This position is pretty cut and dry, Velling and Parachek will pace the way for the Spartans with some veteran backups aiding when need be.
Offensive Line
- LT: Brandon Baldwin, R-SR
- B-LT: Ashton Lepo, R-Soph
- LG: Luke Newman, R-SR, (Holy Cross transfer)
- B-LG: Gavin Broscious, R-Soph
- C: Tanner Miller, R-SR, (Oregon State transfer)
- B-C: Dallas Fincher, R-SR
- RG: Kris Phillips, R-Soph OR transfer
- B-RG: Gavin Broscious, R-Soph
- RT: Ashton Lepo, R-Soph
- B-RT: Stanton Ramil, R-FR
Analysis: This position saw a lot of attrition through the portal in the spring window with Geno VanDeMark and Ethan Boyd transferring out of the program. While Lepo would have been projected to start over Boyd, anyways, there is a depth question being posed to the Spartans. Be on the lookout for the Spartans to add 1 or 2 offensive lineman through the portal. If Xavier Jennings commits following his visit, slide him into the right guard spot with Phillips being the main backup.
Defensive Line
1st string: Maverick Hansen, R-SR, D’Quan Douse, R-SR, (Georgia Tech transfer)
2nd string: Alex VanSumeren, R-Soph, Jalen Satchell, R-JR (Old Dominion transfer), Ru’Quan Buckley, R-JR (Nebraska transfer)
Analysis: Both Simeon Barrow and Derrick Harmon left the program, both in not so satisfying ways, which left the Spartans in a bit of a bind. Luckily, both Douse and Hansen are starting caliber defensive tackles and will step up for MSU. In response to the depth question, the Spartans added Satchell and Buckley in the portal, and could add another defensive lineman as well. Also, Quindarius Dunnigan will slide inside at times this season, playing as a DE/DT hybrid.
Defensive End
1st string: Khris Bogle, R-SR, Quindarius Dunnigan, R-SR
2nd string: Jalen Thompson, Soph, Ken Talley, R-Soph, Tyler Gillison, R-Soph (Cincinnati transfer), Anthony Jones, R-Soph (Indiana transfer)
3rd string: Avery Dunn, R-SR, James Schott, R-Soph
Analysis: This position got an upgrade in the depth department with several transfers being added to the mix, all of which having multiple years of eligibility remaining. This position is very cloudy as there are legitimately seven guys who could have key roles. Time will tell who emerges as the leaders in the group.
Linebacker
1st string: Jordan Hall, Soph, Wayne Matthews, R-JR, (Old Dominion transfer), Jordan Turner, R-SR, (Wisconsin transfer)
2nd string: Cal Haladay, R-SR, Darius Snow, R-SR, Marcellius Pellium, RS-FR (Miami transfer)
Analysis: A bunch of transfer help aided the solid core MSU had at the linebacker position. This position has the potential to be the best on the defensive side of the ball for the Spartans.
Cornerback
- CB: Ed Woods, RS-SR (Arizona State transfer)
- B-CB: Charles Brantley, SR
- CB: Chance Rucker, Soph OR Lejond Cavazos, R-SR (North Carolina transfer)
- B-CB: Ade Willie, JR
- NB: Malik Spencer, JR
- B-NB: Angelo Grose, R-SR
Analysis: A unit that felt underwhelming and bleak quickly feels like one of the better units on defense. The Spartans beat Alabama for Ed Woods and then plucked Cavazos, both veteran guys that will provide a higher floor for the unit. The only one locked into a starting spot at corner is Woods, in my opinion, and the rest will be battled out. Spencer will move back to nickelback this year and will provide a solid floor with a very experienced back up in Grose.
Safety
1st string: Armorion Smith, R-JR, Dillon Tatum, JR
2nd string: Angelo Grose, R-SR, Khalil Majeed, R-JR
Analysis: This is a unit that I feel is not close to being done. I expect a transfer, or two, to round out the safety group. The plan was already for Tatum to shift to safety, Spencer to nickel, and that holds true. As long as Smith’s recovery from injury goes well, I think he is going to get that free safety spot. It helps that Grose has safety experience, because he is going to be asked to be a Swiss army knife in the defensive backfield as the main backup this year.
Special Teams
- K: Jonathan Kim, R-SR
- B-K: Martin Connington, FR
- P: Ryan Eckley, R-Soph
- B-P: Carson Voss, R-JR, (Western Michigan transfer)
- LS: Kaden Schickel, R-JR, (James Madison transfer)
Analysis: Jonathan Kim coming back is a huge boost for the team, being a reliable kicker while Connington learns the ropes. Eckley has a huge boot at punter, which is a huge plus, while Voss should be a capable backup. Schickel is also a huge add at long snapper, an underappreciated position on the field.
