Michigan State football: Projected post-spring 2-deep depth chart for 2024

Michigan State football just wrapped up spring practices and the transfer portal window is closed. What could the depth chart look like?

The Spring Showcase gave Michigan State football fans a chance to see the 2024 version of the Spartans for the first time.

While it wasn’t a perfect scrimmage, there were plenty of bright spots (Aidan Chiles and Nick Marsh) but also some question marks (the defense). There’s still time for Jonathan Smith to address some shortcomings in the transfer portal and I fully expect him to do so, but most of the roster is set heading into the 2024 season.

So with spring ball in the books and the transfer portal window closed, here’s what the two-deep depth chart could look like.

Quarterback

Starter: Aidan Chiles
Backup: Tommy Schuster

The quarterback room underwent a complete makeover this offseason. A year ago, Noah Kim was the starter in Week 1 and his backups were Katin Houser and Sam Leavitt. All three of those guys are gone this year at new schools and Aidan Chiles is the new starter with North Dakota transfer Tommy Schuster backing him up. Let’s just say the Michigan State football offense is in much better hands with these two.

Running back

Starter: Nate Carter
Backup: Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams

Nate Carter flashed plenty of talent last year but was stymied by an inconsistent offensive line. That should change this season with an improved group up front and a better offense surrounding him. Having a dual-threat quarterback can’t hurt either. He’ll be backed up by UMass transfer Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams who transferred in during the spring window and had over 1,000 yards in 2023. He replaces Jalen Berger who transferred out.

Wide receiver

Starters: Montorie Foster Jr., Nick Marsh, Alante Brown
Backups: Jaron Glover, Antonio Gates Jr., Aziah Johnson

Montorie Foster Jr. is back as the team’s leading receiver from a year ago and Alante Brown is hoping to make up for a nightmarish 2023 campaign that was doomed from the start. If Brown can show that he’s worthy of the starting slot receiver spot, this offense will be in good shape. Nick Marsh should take over a starting role after dominating during the Spring Showcase. Jaron Glover is a heck of a backup option and I could even see him starting this year and Antonio Gates Jr. returns after flirting with the portal. Aziah Johnson had a decent spring but this group needs to address its depth in the portal.

Tight end

Starter: Jack Velling
Backup: Brennan Parachek

When Smith was hired as head coach, fans were hoping he’d bring some top players from Oregon State with him. Jack Velling was one of those players and he happened to be one of the best tight ends in the transfer portal. He could end up being Michigan State’s most productive tight end since Josiah Price, especially since he already has a rapport with Chiles. Having Brennan Parachek as a backup option is more than ideal. Both of these guys will be legitimate targets.

Offensive line

Starters: Brandon Baldwin, Luke Newman, Tanner Miller, Kristian Phillips, Ashton Lepo
Backups: Stanton Ramil, Gavin Broscious, Dallas Fincher, Cole Dellinger, Jacob Merritt

I feel like this position group is a complete toss-up for Michigan State football heading into the season. We saw Jacob Merritt starting at tackle in the Spring Showcase, but I think that had something to do with injuries and pending transfers. I still see him in the two-deep. My starters would be Brandon Baldwin and Ashton Lepo at the tackle spots, Luke Newman (Holy Cross) and Kristian Phillips at the guards, and Tanner Miller (Oregon State) at center. There are high hopes for Stanton Ramil, Gavin Broscious, Dallas Fincher, and Cole Dellinger as backups. We could even see freshman transfer Andrew Dennis making the two-deep by the start of the season.

Defensive line

Starters: Khris Bogle (DE), D’Quan Douse (DT), Maverick Hansen (DT), Quindarius Dunnigan (DE)
Backups: Avery Dunn, Alex VanSumeren, Ben Nelson, Jalen Thompson

This is one of those position groups that I feel is not nearly complete. Smith has some work to do in the portal to address the depth here, especially on the interior. We could even see an incoming freshman like Mikeshun Beeler playing meaningful snaps and defensive tackle instead of Ben Nelson. The starting tackles aren’t what we expected with Derrick Harmon and Simeon Barrow transferring out, but D’Quan Douse will surprise some people after transferring in from Georgia Tech. Khris Bogle will be healthy finally and Quindarius Dunnigan transferred in from Middle Tennessee. Avery Dunn looked good in the Spring Showcase and Jalen Thompson finished 2023 strong.

Linebacker

Starters: Jordan Hall, Wayne Matthews III, Jordan Turner
Backups: Darius Snow, Cal Haladay, Aaron Alexander

The starting linebacker unit is going to look completely different this season. Cal Haladay returns, but I think he’s going to slide into a backup role with Wayne Matthews III and Jordan Turner transferring in. Plus, Jordan Hall is way too good not to start. Haladay mans a strong backup group with Darius Snow and Aaron Alexander. Brady Pretzlaff could be a new name to watch as the freshman had a strong first spring with MSU.

Defensive backfield

Starting corners: Dillon Tatum, Edward Woods
Backups: Chance Rucker, Caleb Coley OR Charles Brantley

Before Smith landed Ed Woods in the transfer portal out of Arizona State, I would have had Chance Rucker as a starting cornerback along with veteran leader Dillon Tatum. The duo of Tatum and Woods should be solid and there’s still a chance the Spartans could add another cornerback from the portal. Behind them are Caleb Coley and Charles Brantley. Not a bad group.

Starting nickel: Angelo Grose
Backup: Caleb Coley

We’re going to see some defensive packages this season with a nickel and in that case, Angelo Grose is the go-to guy. Coley will be the backup here as well as a guy who could play cornerback.

Starting safeties: Malik Spencer, Armorion Smith
Backups: Angelo Grose, Khalil Majeed

Michigan State football suffered a major blow when Jaden Mangham hit the transfer portal before May 1. He was projected to start at safety alongside Malik Spencer, but now I could see someone like Grose (also playing nickel) or Armorion Smith (Cincinnati transfer in 2023) there. It’ll be interesting to see what the combination of safeties will be to start the 2024 season especially since I think this position will be addressed in the portal.

Special teams

Starting kicker: Jonathan Kim
Backup: Martin Connington

Jonathan Kim was a revelation in 2023 and he returns for one more season as one of the most reliable kickers in the Big Ten with a rocket for a leg. He’ll likely be backed up by true freshman Martin Connington. The kicking game is in good hands (or legs) with Kim.

Starting punter: Ryan Eckley
Backup: Carson Voss

I have a feeling Ryan Eckley is going to be the next great Michigan State punter and Western Michigan transfer Carson Voss isn’t a bad backup to have just in case anything happens. There should be no worries about these two.