EAST LANSING- MSU Football is back in action this Friday at Spartan Stadium against the Western Michigan Broncos, following a rather disappointing 2024 season, where the Green and White finished 5-7, narrowly missing out on a bowl game.
Head coach Jonathan Smith is entering his second season as the Spartans’ head coach, alongside new Michigan State Athletic Director J Batt.
Last season left many unanswered questions involving the future of MSU football. The Spartans ended their 2024 season on a low note, getting beaten by 27 at home on senior day against Rutgers.
The biggest concern this season is if Smith will be able to rebuild the culture of what MSU football once was and how he can get the Spartans back to their winning ways.
All eyes will be on junior quarterback Aidan Chiles, as he leads the Spartan offense into battle. Last season, Chiles threw for 2,415 yards with 13 touchdowns, while also throwing 11 interceptions, which was one of MSU’s major offensive struggles.
In the offseason, Chiles has been working in the weight room, adding eight pounds to his structure. He has made strides in his playmaking abilities and his performance under pressure according to coach Smith.
The receiver core hosts sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh, senior wide receiver Omari Kelly and senior tight end Jack Velling. Marsh had an outstanding 2024 rookie year, where he set the MSU true freshman record for most receiving yards and receptions in a single season.
The Spartans have added multiple transfers in the offseason with the departure of running backs Kay’ron Lynch-Adams and Nathan Carter, who was recently added to the Atlanta Falcons 53-man roster after going undrafted.
Sophomore running backs Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis are returning to MSU after putting up a combined 14 carries last season. Sacramento State transfer senior running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver is expected to start and three true freshmen running backs have been added to the roster, Jace Clarizio, Zion Gist and Darrin Jones Jr.
The offensive line has added depth with transfers like redshirt senior Caleb Carter and redshirt senior Matt Gulbin. The O-Line was severely affected by injuries last season, making it difficult to protect Chiles, who was constantly being pressured. The healthier this front group can stay, the easier it will be for Chiles to flourish in the pocket and for him to perform to his full potential.
MSU’s defense has a lot to prove. Some returning Spartans include redshirt junior defensive lineman Alex VanSumeren, junior defensive lineman Jalen Thompson, alongside return of sixth year linebacker Darius Snow, who started in the 2021 Peach Bowl game.
They will be playing alongside more of Smith’s transfers, including defensive backs Joshua Eaton, Malcom Bell and redshirt senior defensive linemen Grady Kelly. MSU’s special teams will play with the absence of Jonathan Kim, who set a record for six field goals in a single game last season.
Players such as redshirt sophomore kicker Tarik Ahmetbasic and redshirt freshman Matt Connington are returning for another season with the addition of redshirt sophomore long snapper Aiden DeCorte and senior kicker Blake Sislo, both of whom were gathered from the transfer portal.
With the past behind them, the Spartans must redeem themselves after the disappointing 2024 season. A bowl game and a winning record could be what turns this program around and sparks a fire in East Lansing.
Scouting Western
The Western Michigan Broncos went 6-7 last season, and 5-3 in conference play. Western added 24 new additions to their team this season with the help of the transfer portal. MSU leads the matchup with the Broncos 15-2, as Western looks to pull off the upset this Friday as 20-point underdogs.
The Broncos are expected to start JUCO transfer junior Brady Jones at quarterback, beating out redshirt sophomore Broc Lowry for the starting position. Jones started all 2024 games at Riverside Community College, throwing for 4,456 yards and 44 touchdowns.
Redshirt junior running back Jalen Buckley played 10 games last season, finishing with 683 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. Buckley was also a threat in the passing game, catching 15 passes for 112 yards.
San Diego State transfer, redshirt sophomore wide receiver Baylin Brooks recorded 17 receptions for 275 yards at San Diego State before entering the transfer portal and ending up in Kalamazoo.
Western redshirt senior tight end Blake Bosma has been named to the 2025 John Mackey Award Preseason Watch list, after putting up career highs last season with 37 receptions for 403 yards and six touchdowns.
MSU will host Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium this Friday at 7:30 p.m. Tune into the live radio broadcast featuring Jacob Maurer and Kyle Keegan locally on 88.9 FM or at impact89fm.org/listen-live/.
