Michigan State football: Meet your 2024 team captains

Michigan State football has named its captains for the 2024 season and the five selections are somewhat surprising.

If you are looking for any further evidence that football season is closer, look no more. As summer camp is wrapping up, one of the last things a team needs to do is name its captains for the season. That’s complete now. Jonathan Smith announced Monday on his socials that there will be five captains leading Michigan State football this season.

Proud to announce our captains for this season! It’s a big time honor, as voted on by their teammates, recognizing their hard work and impact on our team! pic.twitter.com/Afeb4q0l3A

— Jonathan Smith (@Coach_Smith) August 19, 2024

Those captains will be:

• Sophomore QB Aidan Chiles
• Junior RB Nate Carter
• Senior OL Tanner Miller
• Senior LB Jordan Turner
• Senior DL Maverick Hansen

The players on the team select the captains. Being selected is one of the highest honors you can receive on the team. This year’s captains have been selected for their hard work and leadership on and off the field.

What is interesting to note is that three of the five captains selected are newcomers to East Lansing. Obviously Aidan Chiles and Tanner Miller transferred to Michigan State from Oregon State when Smith was hired. Linebacker Jordan Turner spent the first few years of his college career in Wisconsin before crossing Lake Michigan and joining the Spartans.

Nate Carter also came to MSU by way of the transfer portal but that was under the previous head coaching regime. He is looking to build on a good sophomore season in the green and white last year. The redshirt junior has made a name being one of the hardest-working players on the team. In the weight room, on the field, and in the classroom as well.

Maverick Hansen has spent his entire career in the green and white. The sixth-year senior and four-time letter winner is one of the more experienced players on the defense this year. He has played in 41 games in his MSU career and has totaled 90 tackles in those games. Mav-itron will anchor a young and raw defensive line group this season. Not only is he an experienced athlete on the field he excels even more off the field. Last season, Hansen earned Academic All-Big Ten honors for a fourth time. Michigan State football has a younger roster so players like Turner, Miller, and Hansen who have experience excelling on and off the field will be crucial.

Someone who may not have the game experience but who has absolutely been standing out from a leadership standpoint is quarterback Aidan Chiles. The 18-year-old sophomore has yet to start a game in college but has been proving himself daily in camp both this past spring and summer. Smith and staff have raved about just how well he does everything “the right way” and that he’s everything you want in a leader. The players seemed to agree with this and were proud to select him as a captain.

Congratulations to all the captains. We are so close, everyone. Keep it here with Spartan Shadows for everything football-related and more. Go green.