Three Former Michigan State Football Players To Lead EMU on Saturday

On Friday, Michigan State football had seven players lead their team out of the tunnel. The team captains, alongside EDGE Cal Thrush, carrying the American Flag, raced out to meet the fans when the Spartans were introduced.

This Saturday, there might be as many as 10 players that once donned the green and white leading their team into battle. The six captains, one American Flag holder, and three former Spartans-turned-foes.

On Friday night, Eastern Michigan football announced their three players carrying “The Wrench” to lead the team out the tunnel. Those three were QB Noah Kim, CB Caleb Coley, and TE Reeves Taylor. All three started their collegiate careers with Michigan State football.

“The Wrench” is a play off of what Eastern Michigan calls their home stadium, Rynearson Stadium as it is nicknamed “The Factory.” The Ypsilanti-based team traveled up to Michigan State on Friday afternoon, with kickoff against MSU slated for 3:38 p.m. EST.

If people thought that this will not be viewed as personal or a revenge game for some former Spartans, they can quickly think otherwise. Chris Creighton and the Eagles are letting their players lean into the rivalry and potential bitter feelings.

More on Three Former Michigan State Football Players

The name most fans remember is QB Noah Kim. Kim started the first five games of the 2023 season, when the Mel Tucker era imploded as the coach was played on leave and later dismissed after the second game of the season against Richmond.

Kim had already led the Spartans to a 2-0 record, earning Big Ten Player of the Week during the efforts. However, he was battered around, finally taking a hit that held him out for the season during an Iowa contest that Michigan State football nearly won.

Caleb Coley signed with Michigan State football as a member of the class of 2022. He was talented enough to see the field four years ago in week two for his Spartan debut as a true freshman, along with appearing in two other contests.

In the 2023 season, Coley returned to the lineup right as Kim exited the lineup, with the corner playing in six games, including his first start in Harlon Barnett’s first win as head coach against Nebraska.

Coley struggled with injuries at the start of the Jonathan Smith era, only playing in one game, a start against Illinois in 2024. Midway through the spring practices in 2025, Coley announced his intention to transfer and he no longer showed up on paper rosters provided to media during practice availability.

Reeves Taylor transferred and walked on to Michigan State football in 2024 after seeing no game action with Vantura Community College. Taylor was named a Scout Team Player of the Week for his efforts in preparing Michigan State football for Illinois in 2024.

He hit the portal following the 2024 season, later winding up with Eastern Michigan.

Some Less Fortunate News For Eastern Michigan Football

This news likely indicates that former Spartan lineman Cole Dellinger is out for the Eagles on Saturday. Dellinger started the first two games of the season with EMU, but was carted off mid-game against San Jose State.

With Dellinger also not being part of the crew with “The Wrench,” he likely does not make the short trip to MSU. Dellinger missed two seasons with injury with Michigan State football, and was healthy but did not play during the 2025 season with MSU.

A Year of Returning Players

This comes the week after Michigan State football played former defensive back Armorion Smith, who nearly every returning player from the 2025 team took time to greet and talk to after the clock hit all zero’s against Toledo. Smith was also gifted something from Michigan State football, as seen by Spartan Shadows while Toledo loaded up their equipment truck.