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EAST LANSING – Jonathan Smith’s second spring with Michigan State football wrapped up Saturday, the work of 15 offseason practices complete.
Now comes the waiting.
The Spartans enter the summer looking to build off Smith’s 5-7 debut last season, trying to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2021. The early legwork in March and April presented the framework to do so.
Smith and his staff will meet with players this week for exit interviews and physical evaluations. The transfer portal is open until Friday, which means there will be more attrition and additions coming.
But the blueprint for how depth chart might look when MSU returns in late July to prepare for the Aug. 30 opener against Western Michigan started taking shape over the last month.
Here is where the Spartans stand heading into the summer (*Injured/out this spring).
RELATED: Couch: The best way to evaluate Michigan State's football team this spring is to listen to them
Starter: Aidan Chiles.
Reserves: Alessio Milivojevic, Ryland Jesse, Leo Hannan.
Analysis: Chiles enters his second season as the starter looking to show more consistency in his dual-threat style and build on a late-season growth in limiting turnovers. His leadership is improving as well, and Chiles’ development is the biggest key to MSU returning to a bowl game. Milivojevic appears poised to take the No. 2 job as a redshirt freshman and has earned positive reviews from coaches all spring.
Starter: Elijah Tau-Tolliver.
Reserves: Brandon Tullis, Makhi Frazier, Jace Clarizio, Zion Gist.
Analysis: Tau-Tolliver arrives from Sacramento State to give a veteran presence to a young stable of backs. Keep an eye on sophomores Tullis and Frazier, though, as they provide a thunder-and-lightning 1-2 punch. True freshman Clarizio also could emerge in camp as an electric threat who could contribute on offense or special teams.
Starters: Nick Marsh, Omari Kelly, Evan Boyd OR Chrishon McCray.
Reserves: Rodney Bullard Jr., Alante Brown, Charles Taplin, Braylon Collier.
Analysis: After Marsh’s dynamic debut, the Spartans actively mined the portal to bring in experienced veterans to complement his lengthy frame and big-play ability. Kelly and McCray are versatile playmakers who can alleviate some of the attention on Marsh, while Boyd brings another big-body target for Chiles. A healthy Brown also provides a veteran presence who can make plays in space.
Starter: Jack Velling.
Reserves: Michael Masaunas, Brennan Paracheck, Wyatt Hook, Jay Coyne (fullback).
Analysis: Velling saw multiple eyes from opponents that took away his pass-catching threat last season, and he should benefit from the additions in the receiver room. Masaunas showed skills as a blocker and receiver before his season-ending injury last year, and Parachek also continues to grow. Coyne gives an H-back look that should help with blocking as well.
Starters: LT Stanton Ramil, LG Kristian Phillips* OR Gavin Broscious, C Matt Gulbin, RG Luka Vincic, RT Conner Moore OR Ashton Lepo*.
Reserves: OG Caleb Carter, C Cooper Terpstra, C/OG Cole Dellinger, OG Rakeem Johnson, OT Rustin Young, OG Andrew Dennis, OT Charlton Luniewski, OT Mercer Luniewski, OT Payton Stewart.
Analysis: Transfers Gulbin, Vincic and Moore arrive to retool the starting group, while Carter also joins them as an experienced lineman who brings much-needed depth to a very young group of backups. Ramil could be a breakout candidate, and Lepo could slot back in on the right side when healthy. Phillips and Broscious both got hurt early last fall, and their return should help improve interior run blocking.
MORE SPRING FOOTBALL: Michigan State football's big spring push: Getting more sacks, giving up fewer in trenches
Starters: Jalen Thompson, David Santiago.
Reserves: Quindarius Dunnigan, Anelu Lafaele, Kekai Burnett, Tyler Gillison, James Schott.
Analysis: MSU’s pass rush struggled last season, and Smith plans to be active in the transfer portal after spring ball ends. Thompson has the potential to take a major step in his third season, while transfers Santiago and Lafaele enter with high-major experience after Dunningan arrived last season from Middle Tennessee State.
Starters: Alex VanSumeren, Grady Kelly.
Reserves: Ben Roberts, Jalen Satchell, Ru’Quan Buckley, Mikeshun Beeler.
Analysis: One of the Spartans’ deepest groups, VanSumeren overcame early-career injuries to emerge as a starter. Smith added Kelly for a veteran power presence to complement last year’s transfer additions Roberts, Satchell and Buckley.
Starters: Jordan Hall, Wayne Matthews III*, Darius Snow.
Reserves: Brady Pretzlaff, Marcellus Pulliam, Semaj Bridgeman, Aisea Moa.
Analysis: Hall will occupy the middle of Joe Rossi’s defense again and serve as both the nerve center on the field and a team leader off it. The same goes for Snow, who in his sixth year is looking closer to the player he was before his major 2022 injury. Matthews sat out this spring, which allowed 2024 transfers Pulliam and Bridgeman to get into the mix, along with coveted redshirt freshman Pretzlaff.
Starters: Chance Rucker, Joshua Eaton.
Reserves: Malcom Bell, Jeremiah Hughes, Ade Willie, NiJhay Burt.
Analysis: Eaton and Bell arrived via the portal to provide size on the edge, as well as to offset the loss of outbound transfer and former starter Charles Brantley. Rucker returns from a right arm injury that limited him to two games, and secondary coach Blue Adams like his depth and additional length that MSU lacked a year ago.
Starters: Malik Spencer, Nikai Martinez, Dillon Tatum.
Reserves: Justin Denson, Andrew Brinson IV, Armorion Smith.
Analysis: The starting tandem of Spencer and Martinez are back and will be integral in the middle of the field. How the Spartans use Tatum after he missed almost all of last season will be interesting, as he has a Swiss Army knife-type skillset that allows him to move from nickel to safety to corner if needed.
Kicker/kickoffs: Martin Connington OR Tarik Ahmetbasic.
Punter: Ryan Eckley.
Long snapper: Kaden Schickel.
Returners: TBD.
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari.
Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football depth chart 2025: Who are starters, reserves
Continue reading...
Now comes the waiting.
The Spartans enter the summer looking to build off Smith’s 5-7 debut last season, trying to get back to the postseason for the first time since 2021. The early legwork in March and April presented the framework to do so.
You must be registered for see images attach
Smith and his staff will meet with players this week for exit interviews and physical evaluations. The transfer portal is open until Friday, which means there will be more attrition and additions coming.
But the blueprint for how depth chart might look when MSU returns in late July to prepare for the Aug. 30 opener against Western Michigan started taking shape over the last month.
Here is where the Spartans stand heading into the summer (*Injured/out this spring).
RELATED: Couch: The best way to evaluate Michigan State's football team this spring is to listen to them
Offense
Quarterback
You must be registered for see images attach
Starter: Aidan Chiles.
Reserves: Alessio Milivojevic, Ryland Jesse, Leo Hannan.
Analysis: Chiles enters his second season as the starter looking to show more consistency in his dual-threat style and build on a late-season growth in limiting turnovers. His leadership is improving as well, and Chiles’ development is the biggest key to MSU returning to a bowl game. Milivojevic appears poised to take the No. 2 job as a redshirt freshman and has earned positive reviews from coaches all spring.
Running back
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Starter: Elijah Tau-Tolliver.
Reserves: Brandon Tullis, Makhi Frazier, Jace Clarizio, Zion Gist.
Analysis: Tau-Tolliver arrives from Sacramento State to give a veteran presence to a young stable of backs. Keep an eye on sophomores Tullis and Frazier, though, as they provide a thunder-and-lightning 1-2 punch. True freshman Clarizio also could emerge in camp as an electric threat who could contribute on offense or special teams.
Wide receiver
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Starters: Nick Marsh, Omari Kelly, Evan Boyd OR Chrishon McCray.
Reserves: Rodney Bullard Jr., Alante Brown, Charles Taplin, Braylon Collier.
Analysis: After Marsh’s dynamic debut, the Spartans actively mined the portal to bring in experienced veterans to complement his lengthy frame and big-play ability. Kelly and McCray are versatile playmakers who can alleviate some of the attention on Marsh, while Boyd brings another big-body target for Chiles. A healthy Brown also provides a veteran presence who can make plays in space.
Tight end
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Starter: Jack Velling.
Reserves: Michael Masaunas, Brennan Paracheck, Wyatt Hook, Jay Coyne (fullback).
Analysis: Velling saw multiple eyes from opponents that took away his pass-catching threat last season, and he should benefit from the additions in the receiver room. Masaunas showed skills as a blocker and receiver before his season-ending injury last year, and Parachek also continues to grow. Coyne gives an H-back look that should help with blocking as well.
Offensive line
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Starters: LT Stanton Ramil, LG Kristian Phillips* OR Gavin Broscious, C Matt Gulbin, RG Luka Vincic, RT Conner Moore OR Ashton Lepo*.
Reserves: OG Caleb Carter, C Cooper Terpstra, C/OG Cole Dellinger, OG Rakeem Johnson, OT Rustin Young, OG Andrew Dennis, OT Charlton Luniewski, OT Mercer Luniewski, OT Payton Stewart.
Analysis: Transfers Gulbin, Vincic and Moore arrive to retool the starting group, while Carter also joins them as an experienced lineman who brings much-needed depth to a very young group of backups. Ramil could be a breakout candidate, and Lepo could slot back in on the right side when healthy. Phillips and Broscious both got hurt early last fall, and their return should help improve interior run blocking.
MORE SPRING FOOTBALL: Michigan State football's big spring push: Getting more sacks, giving up fewer in trenches
Defense
Defensive end
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Starters: Jalen Thompson, David Santiago.
Reserves: Quindarius Dunnigan, Anelu Lafaele, Kekai Burnett, Tyler Gillison, James Schott.
Analysis: MSU’s pass rush struggled last season, and Smith plans to be active in the transfer portal after spring ball ends. Thompson has the potential to take a major step in his third season, while transfers Santiago and Lafaele enter with high-major experience after Dunningan arrived last season from Middle Tennessee State.
Defensive tackle
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Starters: Alex VanSumeren, Grady Kelly.
Reserves: Ben Roberts, Jalen Satchell, Ru’Quan Buckley, Mikeshun Beeler.
Analysis: One of the Spartans’ deepest groups, VanSumeren overcame early-career injuries to emerge as a starter. Smith added Kelly for a veteran power presence to complement last year’s transfer additions Roberts, Satchell and Buckley.
Linebackers
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Starters: Jordan Hall, Wayne Matthews III*, Darius Snow.
Reserves: Brady Pretzlaff, Marcellus Pulliam, Semaj Bridgeman, Aisea Moa.
Analysis: Hall will occupy the middle of Joe Rossi’s defense again and serve as both the nerve center on the field and a team leader off it. The same goes for Snow, who in his sixth year is looking closer to the player he was before his major 2022 injury. Matthews sat out this spring, which allowed 2024 transfers Pulliam and Bridgeman to get into the mix, along with coveted redshirt freshman Pretzlaff.
Cornerbacks
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Starters: Chance Rucker, Joshua Eaton.
Reserves: Malcom Bell, Jeremiah Hughes, Ade Willie, NiJhay Burt.
Analysis: Eaton and Bell arrived via the portal to provide size on the edge, as well as to offset the loss of outbound transfer and former starter Charles Brantley. Rucker returns from a right arm injury that limited him to two games, and secondary coach Blue Adams like his depth and additional length that MSU lacked a year ago.
Safeties/nickel backs
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Starters: Malik Spencer, Nikai Martinez, Dillon Tatum.
Reserves: Justin Denson, Andrew Brinson IV, Armorion Smith.
Analysis: The starting tandem of Spencer and Martinez are back and will be integral in the middle of the field. How the Spartans use Tatum after he missed almost all of last season will be interesting, as he has a Swiss Army knife-type skillset that allows him to move from nickel to safety to corner if needed.
Special teams
Kicker/kickoffs: Martin Connington OR Tarik Ahmetbasic.
Punter: Ryan Eckley.
Long snapper: Kaden Schickel.
Returners: TBD.
Contact Chris Solari: [email protected]. Follow him @chrissolari.
Subscribe to the "Spartan Speak" podcast for new episodes weekly on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or anywhere you listen to podcasts. And catch all of our podcasts and daily voice briefing at freep.com/podcasts.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football depth chart 2025: Who are starters, reserves
Continue reading...
