With Michigan State football's preseason camp nearing the end, here are 7 position battles to monitor before the Aug. 29 opener vs. Western Michigan.
EAST LANSING — Before long, Michigan State football will emerge from preseason into preparation mode.
That makes the upcoming final week of camp a vital one for players competing for starting jobs and leadership roles to shore up depth charts as Jonathan Smith continues rebuilding the Spartans to potentially becoming a Big Ten contender in his second season.
The home stretch kicked in Saturday, Aug. 16, with MSU’s second and final scrimmage of camp. Here are a few positions Smith and his staff will be examining closely in the final week before turning their attention toward the Aug. 29 opener at home against Western Michigan (7 p.m., FS1).
Wide receiver
Nick Marsh is a lock. So, too, is Middle Tennessee State transfer Omari Kelly. But the fight for the No. 3 wideout spot has been muddled some due to in-camp injuries, none of which, Smith said, are serious or season-threatening. The Spartans have three other transfers – Evan Boyd (Central Michigan), Rodney Bullard Jr. (Valdosta State) and Chrishon McCray (Kent State) – all hoping to make a move to join the starting group, though all three of them, along with returnee Alante Brown, will be pivotal in establishing the two-deep. True freshman Charles Taplin also has caught coaches’ eyes, putting himself in position to potentially leapfrog those veterans with a strong finish to camp.
Running back
This will be perhaps the most intriguing situation to monitor throughout the early season. Second-year Smith recruits Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier both have a chance to push past Sacramento State transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver for first- and second-down roles. However, the staff loves the burst and cutting ability which freshman Jace Clarizio brings and the added speed component that made him teeter toward signing with Alabama before the Spartans retained the East Lansing product. Fellow newcomer Zion Gist also is looming, should the older backs struggle to produce in the early going this fall.
Tight end
Former Oregon State transfer Jack Velling has a chance to be a breakout star this season, but he’ll need to progress past a left foot injury that has limited his availability since the start of camp. His absence has given juniors Brennan Parachek and Michael Masaunus more reps and a chance to improve their blocking against the first-team defense. Indiana State transfer Kai Rios and his 6-foot-6, 263-pound frame also is intriguing. Velling sitting out also allowed athletic freshman Jayden Savoury (Orchard Lake St. Mary’s) to make a strong first impression after hanging up his basketball shoes to focus on football. Regardless, getting Velling back and in sync with quarterback Aidan Chiles is one of the biggest keys for the Spartans to top last year’s 5-7 record and return to a bowl for the first time since 2021.
Offensive line
Though offensive line coach Jim Michalczik said there are no starters yet, the position group coming out of spring – and without the offseason attrition experienced heading into 2024 – gives a fairly clear picture of the top six or seven on the depth chart. Expect Wake Forest transfer Matt Gulbin to start at center, with Stanton Ramil at left tackle. Where the interior linemen end up – with Kristian “Big Dooley” Phillips and Gavin Broscious returning from injuries and fighting for a starting job along with Oregon State transfer Luka Vincic – remains to be seen. The expectation is Montana State transfer Conner Moore will take over at right tackle, but don’t discount the experience of returnee Ashton Lepo in the battle. Among the younger linemen, Rakeem Johnson appears headed for a potential Swiss Army knife role at multiple spots.
Edge rusher
Position coach Chad Wilt likened the new additions at rush end to having different tools, but MSU needs a full tool chest to get better at getting to the quarterback. Whether that will be young transfers David Santiago (Air Force) and Anelu Lafaele (Wisconsin), veteran additions Isaac Smith (Texas Tech) and Tyler Gillison (Cincinnati before the 2024 season), or a blend of all four dependent on the opponent’s scheme is something Wilt and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi likely will be figuring out into the start of Big Ten play – and possibly all season.
Linebacker
Jordan Hall continues to build momentum in his third season, and seniors Wayne Matthews III and Darius Snow also bring experience from last year in Rossi’s scheme. But two players who have picked up buzz throughout camp are Marcellius Pullman, a Miami (Florida) transfer in 2024, and redshirt freshman Brady Pretzlaff, Rossi’s prized recruit he pried away from Minnesota before last season. Add in BYU transfer Aisea Moa along with 2024 Michigan transfer Semaj Bridgeman, and there is plenty of talent to replace departed starters Cal Haladay and Jordan Turner and give MSU much needed depth in the middle.
Special teams
Like a few of the other areas of interest, nagging injuries early make the final two weeks pivotal for figuring out roles. Kickers Martin Connington and Tarik Ahmetbasic have been hampered, special teams co-coordinator Wilt said this week. So Blake Sislo (a senior transfer from Davenport) has taken the bulk of the kicks. Finding someone who brings the consistency – in both place-kicking and kickoffs – that Jonathan Kim provided the past two seasons will be vital. While Ryan Eckley remains a field-flipper as one of the nation’s best punters, how quickly long snapper Kaden Schickel gets back to form after last year’s season-ending ACL injury also is an major question. Kelly appears likely to handle punt return duty, and finding kickoff returners among the group also is a priority in the waning days of camp.
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football: 7 position battles to watch before WMU opener
Category: General Sports
