EAST LANSING – Michigan State football kicked off spring practices on Tuesday.
Players feel optimistic about the shift in culture and adapting schemes under new head coach Jonathan Smith. After failing to make a bowl game in the last two seasons the Spartans are looking for a fresh start.
Senior wide receiver Montorie Foster Jr. believes the culture around the program is changing for the better.
“There is definitely a difference, the culture has changed, but in a good way though,” said Foster. “There are guys in here that want to get better, they’re focused, they want to prove to the coaches that they can play too.”
Foster Jr. is excited to implement coach Smith’s West Coast offense.
“It favors a lot of wide receivers, spacing it out now, so I can’t wait to make big plays down the field,” said Foster Jr.
The Spartans hope to improve their offense from 2023 which scored the least amount of points in the Big Ten. Last season, Smith’s offense at Oregon State scored the 35th most points in the country.
Graduate defensive lineman Maverick Hansen explained the new defensive line concepts that allow the defensive line to be more aggressive.
“We’re trying to tackle the ball carrier in the backfield, not holding on to a double team and letting it cross the line of scrimmage before we fall onto it,” said Hansen.
Hansen is also impressed by the coaching staff and how they have taught the players the new defense.
“[The coaching staff] starts at the very beginning to make sure you understand all the moving parts and everything that is going on around and then stack on that every other day with a new install that builds on the previous install,” said Hansen.
Last season the Spartans dealt with a plethora of injuries. This offseason there has been more of a focus on staying healthy.
“It is a little more body-driven, we’re focused on the body a lot,” said junior defensive back Dillion Tatum. “We’re using rollers, stretching a lot more while also getting our work in. Our workouts have been a lot longer than what it used to be.”
Michigan State will continue spring practices until their Spring Showcase at Spartan Stadium on Saturday, April 20.
