Michigan State football injury updates: Jonathan Smith reveals current health status of Spartan team

No coach wants to enter the regular season already dealing with injury issues. At the same time, injuries are an issue that often can’t be overcome completely. Still, for the Michigan State Spartans and head coach Jonathan Smith, the injury situation is in a good place.

Following a recent practice, Smith shared that the Spartans are mostly healthy as Fall Camp is wrapping up. In fact, there were only two Michigan State players who Smith mentioned as dealing with injuries at this point, and neither of those are considered major for the season.

“Feeling like we’re in a solid space there,” Jonathan Smith said. “Again, I’ll let you know anything season injury. We’ve definitely got some bumps, some bruises going through Camp that way. [Jack] Velling today, getting some reps in team period. He looked ready to continue to go. Did some more there.”

Jack Velling is a tight end going into his fourth college season and his second at Michigan State, having followed Jonathan Smith as a transfer from Oregon State. Last season, he’d make 36 receptions for 411 yards and a touchdown. That was the most receptions but the fewest touchdowns he’d had in any season in his career. He was carted off the field to end last season against Purdue. Since then, he’s missed time in Fall Camp with an undisclosed ailment.

The other injury Jonathan Smith looked at was Nikai Martinez. A safety going into his fourth season of college football and his second with Michigan State, Martinez had 51 tackles and two interceptions last season. He also has an undisclosed injury and could miss the opener.

“Nikai, potentially, Game 1, might be out. We’ll see where that goes,” Smith said. “But we’re feeling pretty healthy.”

Michigan State opens the 2025 season on August 29th against Western Michigan. They’ll have a few weeks after that, until September 20th, before they begin Big Ten play against USC.

Jonathan Smith reveals Michigan State freshmen standing out in scrimmages

Jonathan Smith inherited a rebuild at Michigan State. Now, amid that, he’s finding freshmen who are quickly standing out as potential long-term pieces in scrimmages.

“Yeah, Jayden Savoury has made some plays. Caught a touchdown in the scrimmage on Saturday. True freshman-wise, and what I like about him, we always felt his athleticism was gonna be top-notch, but he’s shown some physicality in the running game. He’s shown up. Liking that,” Smith said.

“I think Jace [Clarizio] is carrying it, learning more and more of the physical brand of carrying the ball. Not just with his skillset. I think he’s grown. Had a couple good carries of putting his foot in the ground and getting four or five when maybe earlier he’s apt to bounce it. Those two guys stand out.”