Michigan State football announces redshirt decisions

Jonathan Smith met with the Michigan State football media on Monday afternoon to preview Nebraska, alongside discussing the Spartans’ recent bye week. During the press conference, he revealed that the staff had some in-depth conversations about the personnel on the roster, including the redshirt decisions for some of the current freshman on the team.

Smith revealed three freshmen are burning their optional year of eligibility, alongside one whose status is to be evaluated over the next few games.

Michigan State football burning three redshirts

Smith disclosed to the media that the current plan for the Spartans is to continue to play defensive back Aydan West and long snapper Jack Wills, both of whom have appeared in four games.

Additionally, the Spartans plan to continue to play tight end Jayden Savoury. Savoury did not play in the season opening game against Western Michigan, but saw the field on offense against Boston College and Youngstown State. He also played special teams against USC to open Big Ten play.

With 2024 starting long snapper Kaden Schickel continuing to heal from an ACL tear suffered last October, the writing was on the wall for Wills. The freshman has performed admirably so far, and it is no shock that he will continue to play until Schickel recovers, at the very least.

Aydan West did not appear on defense against the Trojans, which was the first occurrence all season. However, he has provided some sparks for the Spartans, and the defender will remain playing during the rest of the season and lose his redshirt. He currently has two tackles between his four contests.

With true sophomore Andrew Brinson IV regaining a redshirt due to injury, the Spartans essentially remain neutral in this instance of redshirting.

One player’s redshirt status in the balance

True freshman defensive tackle Derrick Simmons was one of the first freshman to see the field for the Spartans, but did not play against USC. It was revealed that the staff is re-evaluating their decision on playing Simmons, and weighing the merits of redshirting the Frankenmuth (MI.) product.

Simmons has two tackles in his three games this season. He also has added some special teams snaps, though his usual role on punt return was taken over by Savoury against USC. With the Spartans losing three defensive tackles (Grady Kelly, Ru’Quan Buckley, and Jalen Satchell) to graduation after this year, the decision to redshirt him certainly has merit.

No other Spartans pushing to burn a redshirt

In a follow up question, Jonathan Smith stated his belief that no other freshman would be burning their redshirt during the 2025 season. While most freshman had yet to be shouted out during a press conference, a few had received praise earlier in the preseason.

In particular, Braylon Collier, Charles Taplin, Jace Clarizio, Bryson Williams, and Cal Thrush all had gotten various position coaches and teammates to praise them. However, the quintet of freshman alongside their other classmates will not be seeing the field for more than four games this season.

None of these freshman had seen the field for Michigan State football during the first four games. Clarizio was originally viewed as a player likely to burn his redshirt, but a lingering injury, originally called a calf injury before the Western Michigan contest, has held him out.

No other players have had an injury disclosed as of the most recent press conference. Obviously, things can change in a heartbeat, as the Spartans did not plan on burning Brinson IV’s redshirt until the final game of the season.

Last year, the Spartans burned the redshirts for Justin Denson Jr., Brinson IV, Jaylen Thompson (who transferred to Memphis), Nick Marsh, Makhi Frazier, and Brandon Tullis.