Michigan State Football: Freshman Tracker, Week Seven vs UCLA

On Saturday, Michigan State football took on the UCLA Bruins. The Bruins dominated the Spartans, with the Spartans being held under 100 yards in the first half while UCLA ran free. It was not a happy Homecoming for Michigan State football. The Spartans lost 38-13.

The freshman tracker will be short this week, too. The Spartans played a season-low two first-year players on Saturday. However, let’s dive into some freshman news regarding who dressed, first.

It appears Braylon Collier suffered an injury, as he was spotted in a jersey and sweats at the UCLA contest. Jack Yanachik replaced him on the travel roster against Nebraska, and that likely explains why.

Jace Clarizio, George Mullins and Nick Hardy both did not dress on Saturday, as they have yet to suit up this season.

Meanwhile, defensive backs Deuce Edwards and Evan Young, alongside defensive lineman Cal Thrush, got to throw on the shoulder pads on gameday for the first time as Spartans.

Jayden Savoury did not dress, as the Spartan tight end found himself on the injury report. His injury was not disclosed to the media. He was seen walking the sidelines, and it is unknown if the injury will cause a re-evaluation on if he will redshirt.

All this out of the way, which freshmen played for Michigan State football on Saturday?

Jack Wills, Long Snapper

Wills was back to his normal, consistent self on Saturday. The long snapper was called upon multiple times, and rose to the occasion each time. However, he did miss on a tackle attempt during a return. That said, full marks to the freshman as Kaden Schickel was still on the injury report this week.

Wills has already burned his redshirt, as this was his sixth game of the season.

Aydan West, Defensive Back

For the first time in his young career, Aydan West got the start at cornerback. This was not ceremonial, either, as the freshman surpassed his career mark of 26 snaps, recorded last week. West played in 34 snaps during his first starting assignment.

He showed a marked improvement in overall and pass defense grades compared to his extended action last week. He tied his career high with two tackles, again, and the only pass targeted his way was incomplete. In fact, West recorded his first career pass break up against the Bruins, with a ball clanking off his helmet.

It was not a bad first career start for West. He showed improvement over his last extended action, and is developing into the star the Joe Rossi mentioned to the media last Wednesday.

West has also already burned his redshirt, as this was his sixth game of the season.

What is next for Michigan State football and the freshmen?

This week, the Spartans travel to Indiana. With the lengthy injury report, it will be interesting to see if any freshman get to travel for the first time in their career. With the chance of a Hoosier blowout coming, the debuts could occur, too. The final storyline to track will be the injury status of Savoury, alongside that of Collier, who was travelled in the past. Both injuries are undisclosed, as of Sunday.