Michigan State football: Nick Marsh’s breakout not just a flash in the pan

Michigan State football wideout Nick Marsh had a breakout game against Maryland and it’s not just a flash in the pan.

Courtney Hawkins is the solo coach left over from a previous regime that had its fair share of blunders. You could cite many reasons why Hawkins is still with Michigan State football. Jonathan Smith might tell you that Hawkins is a bridge for the new coaches and players to learn about the history and culture that has been building in East Lansing for years; even since Hawkins was a receiver in the 1990s.

Some would say it’s because Hawkins was the most consistent recruiter and developer in his position group than any other previous coach. If you have paid any attention to the career of Jayden Reed you would say that as well.

Nick Marsh and his family will and have said that Hawkins was a key reason in the four-star sticking with the program through the turnover since the 2023 season. The reality is, it’s a combination of everything that Hawkins offers that makes him an important piece in East Lansing.

He spoke to the media on Tuesday afternoon, and offered some exciting quotes for Spartan fans.

“Nick being Nick,” the Spartans receiver coach stated. “Me recruiting him, I expect it. Maybe not the numbers he put up,” referencing the eight-catch, 194-yard performance he put up in College Park on Saturday. Hawkins added, “That won’t just be a flash-in-the-bucket type of deal.”

The combination of Marsh and Chiles, just 17 and now 19 years old, respectively, provide an exciting prospect for Michigan State. Marsh announced himself to Maryland fans, and college football fans early in the fourth quarter with a 57-yard catch, but then cemented himself as Big Ten and National Freshman of the Week with a 77-yard, game-tying touchdown with just over four minutes to play. 

Hawkins has seen the work that went in behind Marsh’s career day on Saturday.

“I think his preparation, his overall approach to the game, his overall approach to life… He’s a well centered kid… He knows multiple positions on our team. He’s got some leadership qualities about him,” said Hawkins. “He’s that kind of kid you want in your room. He’s a program-changer type of athlete.”

And Marsh is conscious of the work he’s putting in.

“I’ve been busting my butt at practice every day, just giving out defense a look, just practicing my tail off,” Marsh said after the game. “So coming out here and executing today, it felt pretty good.”

It’s not hard to get excited about the prospect of Marsh, and the future of Michigan State receivers, especially based on Hawkins’ imprint on the Michigan State football program. 

Hawkins isn’t the only fan of Nick Marsh, as Aidan Chiles had his own ravings about the freshman.

“We hold each other accountable. If I make a mistake, and don’t throw him the ball, he knows if he was wide open. But if he makes a mistake, I’m going to get on him, too,” Chiles said of Marsh.

Saturday’s big game is a result of the small things that Chiles and Marsh have worked on together. Timing being one of those factors.

“We practice this a lot, the corners, they were biting on the vertical stem, and that’s something we practice at practice. Aidan knows where to put the ball at,” said Marsh.

Hawkins knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a receiver at this level, and he knows that preparation and growth has been one of the freshman’s strengths. “The one thing is that he played fast on every route… Just to see the route discipline from him in week 2 already, from a 17-year-old young man, was great to see.”

One thing that stood out was the way Marsh opened up the deep ball. His run blocking has been described as “ferocious”. Jonathan Smith also had some good things to say about Marsh.

“We don’t have any training wheels on the guy, I mean he’s out there with route adjustments. If it’s Cover 2, you do this. If its man-to-man, you do that,” Smith said.

What sticks out to me is the well known relationship that has been developing between Marsh and Hawkins. It’s safe to say that Hawkins is the primary factor behind Marsh coming to East Lansing.

“I’m recruiting guys to knock me out of the top 10 (for single game receiving yards),” Hawkins said.

It’s no secret that schools like Colorado and others came knocking on Marsh’s door during his senior year at River Rouge High School. But it never seemed to concern the Michigan State football receivers coach.

“I’m going to be real, be myself, be authentic,” Hawkins said. “At the end of the day, I’m the guy you’re going to want to invite to your wedding and that’s what its all about for me.”

Hawkins never wavered, he knew where he stood with Marsh. He reminded Marsh where home was. And now, a combination of hard work, raw talent and preparation by a freshman receiver, a quarterback with the same goals, and a receivers coach who gets it, Michigan State fans have a picture of hope. 

Nick Marsh is not a flash-in-the-pan, he’s a long-term solution, and likely next in line for Hawkins’ receiver room. And he may be here ahead of schedule. Hawkins knows, and so should you now.

“You would never know he had 190 yards with the way he’s practicing this week,” said Hawkins.

Beware, opposing defenses.