Michigan State football: Did Nick Marsh leak his jersey number?

The talented freshman is already working out with Michigan State football as an early enrollee, and a picture may have leaked his number.

On Monday, a picture of Nick Marsh working out during the Michigan State football winter workouts surfaced. His team-issued shorts might have unveiled his jersey number earlier than expected. According to the picture from Marsh’s mom, “MaMa Tron,” Marsh is wearing shorts with No. 0 clearly on them. There are multiple pictures of him wearing shorts numbered 0, furthering my belief.

Also of note, Marsh is definitely Big Ten-sized. He looks more ripped than a few defensive ends in the conference. The poor corners do not stand a chance next year.

🤣🤣🤣 they said 17 where???? pic.twitter.com/ntG4ASjhpk

— MaMa_Tron210 (@MamaTron210) January 22, 2024

Here’s another picture that was posted via his account shortly after:

via @NickMarsh_11 on Twitter

I would like to preface this with how it is not official that Marsh will be the No. 0, as no roster has been provided for the 2024 Michigan State football season. It could be that these shorts fit Marsh and 2023 wearer Alante Brown, as both have a listed playing weight within 10 pounds of each other.

Additionally, this could be just a temporary number issued for workouts to the early enrollee.

A brief history of No. 0

Nick Marsh would be the fourth Spartan to wear No. 0 since it was reintroduced as a football number by the NCAA in 2020. Marsh would join Chuck Brantley, Keon Coleman, and Alante Brown as players to throw on pads numbered 0. Despite only being around for four seasons, the No. 0 has already provided clutch plays for Michigan State.

Brantley was the first Spartan to make a highlight in the zero, intercepting Cade McNamara to beat Michigan in Spartan Stadium in 2021. This came on a day when Kenneth Walker III willed the Spartans to history, and Brantley was the defender to finally make the Spartan defense get a stop. I’m sure when you walk into Spartan Stadium this fall, you will see numerous shirts and flags with the picture of Brantley intercepting the pass before you find your seats. Brantley also would record a pick six against Ohio State in 2022 wearing the No. 0, as well.

Coleman also put on the zero for his freshman season in 2021, and he was the first Spartan to score wearing it. He provided Michigan State’s only touchdown against Ohio State in a 49-7 drubbing in ‘The Shoe’. Coleman wore it for his breakout 2022 season, scoring eight touchdowns, including a near solo effort to will the Spartans to win against Washington. He also had a fantastic touchdown grab against Michigan in it. However, he transferred away following spring practice in 2023, leaving the No. 0 vacant.

That was a short-lived vacancy, as Alante Brown wore it for the Spartans this fall. The one-time Spartan commit flipped to Nebraska, before coming back to MSU for his redshirt senior season. Brown had 13 total touches this season, and unfortunately, the most notable moment for him and the No. 0 was a scary collision to start the Central Michigan game.

What this means for Nick Marsh and the roster

Marsh wearing No. 0 is a welcome surprise. I believe that Marsh will be a star for the Spartans, and Coleman transferring left a bitter taste for some Spartan fans who like No. 0, like me. Following one season of Brown, Marsh now has time to cement his legacy in the No. 0.

As far as the roster goes, if this picture is accurate and Marsh will indeed be wearing the No. 0, then it likely means Brown has elected to not use his COVID-19 year. This means that Marsh’s route to the field would be easier, as both players are receivers and return men.

Regardless, it will be exciting to see Marsh on the field this fall, wearing No. 0 or any other number.