Michigan State football practice squad players of the week for week seven revealed

On Thursday, as is tradition, Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith went to X to announce the practice squad players of the week. The Spartans host UCLA this week, and Smith took to X to congratulate the players having the team well-prepared for the Bruins.

Although UCLA is currently 1-4, they just upset a top-10 Penn State team, and Joe Rossi confirmed with the media that the Spartans are not looking past them. Rossi called them a brand-new team, and that the old UCLA does not exist anymore. All of this said, who is helping prepare the Spartans for battle on Saturday?

Scout Team Players of the Week! Awesome effort and commitment from these guys to make us better every day! pic.twitter.com/LlTugr6m5z

— Jonathan Smith (@Coach_Smith) October 9, 2025

Michigan State football Practice Squad Players of the Week, Week 7:

• OL Rashawn Rogers (Fr.)
• DL Cal Thrush (Fr.) (x2)
• LB DeJae White (Fr.)
• DB Deuce Edwards (Fr.)
• QB Ryland Jessee (RS-Fr.)

Defensive lineman Cal Thrush is the only Spartan to get this honor for a second time on the season, with the Ohio native being a player that had received a little bit of hype at the start of the season as one who could play. Thrush has not played yet, nor has most of the class, but he is showing out in practice. Currently, the defensive lineman has yet to dress or travel for a game.

Rogers was a walk-on, and continues the trend of Spartan walk-on lineman showing out in practice. In 2024, Spartan walk-on lineman Hayden Lorius received the honor twice. Rogers has dressed for home games this season, as well. The Ottawa Hills (MI.) lineman already has Big Ten size.

DeJae White entered the year as one of the highest ranked prospects in the Spartan recruiting class, being a four-star prospect via 247Sports. With the linebacker room loaded, it has been a tough go for White so far. However, he recently got added to the dress list for last home game against Youngstown State. With redshirt freshman Brady Pretzlaff out for the season, there is a slightly bigger opening for playing time.

Deuce Edwards, the younger cousin of Spartan great Felton Davis, is a defensive back that flipped to the Spartans late. Edwards, much like White and Rogers, was a summer enrollee that is fighting to get onto the travel roster and playing time. With the defensive back room full of seniors, the freshman defensive back has yet to travel or dress for a game currently, but Edwards’ motor and tenacity make it clear he is a great option for the future.

The only non-first year player on this list is quarterback Ryland Jessee. Jessee was a late addition to the class of 2024, flipping from Utah State on signing day. Since stepping foot on campus, Jessee has been in the QB4 spot, behind Aidan Chiles and Alessio Milivojevic, along with Tommy Schuster in 2024 and Leo Hannan this year. Jessee has taken the role in stride, with this being his fourth time receiving the accolade. Jessee has dressed on gamedays, but the Spartans have elected to bring Leo Hannan on their travel roster this year.

With the Spartans first home game in a month, it will be time to see who gets added to the dress list following the usual set of attrition. The game kicks off on Big Ten Network, with the latest MSU media release calling for kickoff at 12:01 p.m. EST.