Three Things To Watch as Michigan State Football Spring Practice Starts

In the midst of March Madness for men’s and women’s basketball and hockey making their post-season push, along with baseball hitting conference play, Michigan State football begins their spring practices on March 17.

It has been a whirlwind of an offseason for the Spartans, with head coach Pat Fitzgerald taking the reins days after Jonathan Smith was released following a 4-8 campaign with all eight losses coming consecutively. The Spartans struggled to have one identity during the Smith tenure, and look to forge one as the Fitzgerald era begins for MSU.

Here are three things to monitor as spring practices and media availability open up.

1.) Wide Receiver Battles

The Spartans lost their top two receivers with Nick Marsh transferring to Indiana and Omari Kelly graduating. Additionally, Rod Bullard Jr. is technically on the spring roster, but it expected to hit the portal when or if his waiver clears, where he would join Alante Brown and Evan Boyd as other receivers to transfer.

That leaves the Spartans with Chrishon McCray as the only returning receiver with a catch in the green and white. The Spartans brought in former Power Four reserves with KK Smith of Notre Dame and Fredrick Moore of Michigan, and return now-redshirt freshman Bryson Williams, Charles Taplin II, and Braylon Collier. Williams and Taplin II each recorded a catch last season, and Collier was a player that had a strong summer until injuries sat him out some of the middle part of the season.

The room also adds speedster Zach Washington, who caught passes from Alessio Milivojevic in high school at St. Francis in Wheaton, Ill.

Outside of McCray, it is hard to say who will be starting at receiver for the Spartans next season. There is a wide belief that it is Moore and Smith starting with McCray, but there is a lot to be decided. Do not rule out Williams, Taplin, Collier, Washington, or summer enrollee Samson Gash.

2.) Who is Headlining the Trenches?

One of the core reasons Michigan State football struggled, and has struggled, since Kenneth Walker III left was the lack of push from the offensive line. Similarly, the defensive line has failed to generate much pressure consistently since Kenny Willekes left for the NFL.

Both rooms have received facelifts, with the offensive line bringing in Trent Fraley, Ben Murawski, Robert Wright Jr., and Nick Sharpe, among others. The defensive line brings Winston DeLattiboudere III as their new coach. Coach DeBo has been routinely praised, with Deven Eastern giving him a ton of credit at the NFL Scouting Combine last month, calling DeBo one of the “best coaches I ever had.”

The offensive line has Nick Tabacca at the helm, who has 20 years of experience coaching the position group. With the influx of talent, plus retaining Rakeem Johnson, Conner Moore, and Rustin Young, there is some optimism in the group.

Defensive line is a concern, even with Coach DeBo. The Spartans lose a ton of experience, along with projected starters Jalen Thompson and Alex VanSumeren. Carlos Hazelwood is an intriguing player out of Toledo, with his pass rush numbers, albeit in limited snaps in the MAC, look good.

These position groups are wide open battles, so clarity on the push to be a starter is something to be monitored.

3.) Defensive Back Battles

Another wide open position group is the defensive back room. Coach Hank Poteat comes over from Iowa State, joining holdover James Adams. Poteat brings Tre Bell with him, a starter for the Cyclones in 2025. However, outside of Bell and returning Spartan (onetime Miami Hurricane) Chuck Brantley, there is a battleground.

Malcolm Bell (no relation) and Joshua Eaton are out of eligibility, along with promising freshman Aydan West transferring out. Additionally, Justin Denson Jr., Ade Willie, and Elisha West all transfer out after seeing reps on defense or special teams last season.

NiJhay Burt returns after earning snaps to begin last year. Andrew Brinson IV is also back after missing all of 2025 with injury. Aveon Grose had the game-winning interception for Michigan State to end 2025, and he returns with Nikai Martinez, now wearing the 21, at safety.

The Spartans add Michael Richard from Louisiana Tech in the safety room, along with Devin Vaught. Richard is a player that could make some noise and start.

With the corners, Bell and Brantley likely start, but then Brinson, Tyran Chappell, Burt, or Nikai Martinez could slide into the nickel spot. The coach media sessions will be crucial in seeing how the depth chart breaks for Michigan State football.

Overall, there is a lot to monitor with spring practice starting tomorrow. Personally, I cannot wait to cover this. It feels like Christmas morning in East Lansing.