Michigan State entered the 2026 season with one of its least proven position groups at tight end, but Friday night offered a clear answer to the question of who might rise above the rest.
Jayden Savoury did exactly that.
The redshirt sophomore from Orchard Lake had been a popular name all offseason as reporters around Michigan State’s spring, summer and fall practices kept pointing to him as one of the room’s most intriguing pass-catching options. He arrived in the season with very little game action on his résumé, but the buzz kept building. Against that backdrop, Savoury finally delivered the kind of performance that made the chatter feel justified.
He finished with four catches for 36 yards in the Spartans’ season opener after entering the night with just one reception in his first four games played in 2026. Three of those grabs came in the first half, which meant he passed his previous production total almost immediately and gave Michigan State a real presence at a spot that had been wide open.
The Spartans did try to involve other tight ends. Brennan Parachek and Carson Gulker each caught one pass, and Gulker’s reception ended with a fumble that Michigan State recovered. Still, Savoury was the one who separated himself from the group and became the most reliable option on the field.
Just as important, he started to look like the target quarterback Alessio Milivojevic could turn to when things tightened up. That matters because quarterbacks need a security blanket, and the tight end is usually the guy who fills that role.
Michigan State came into the year without a proven answer there. Savoury is starting to look like one.
What makes him valuable is the combination of size and catch radius. He can help on difficult throws, extend drives and give Milivojevic an outlet when the first read disappears. He also adds a physical element to the passing game that gives the Spartans another way to attack defenses.
That’s a strong sign for a coaching staff brought in by Pat Fitzgerald, which has stressed building a roster that can compete at a higher level. Savoury’s breakout is an early example of that work showing up on the field.
And the timing matters. Michigan State will face Eastern Michigan next week, but after that the Spartans won’t have MAC opponents left to ease into the schedule. The level of difficulty is about to jump, and a dependable tight end could become a major asset.
For Milivojevic, Savoury looks like the kind of target every quarterback wants. If the two keep growing together, Michigan State could eventually have a tandem that gives Big Ten defensive coordinators plenty to think about.
The Spartans still have depth at tight end. But depth is not the same thing as having someone who can consistently make the big play. On Friday night, Savoury showed he can be that guy.
In Other News...
Michigan State Found A New Edge Fans Noticed Against Toledo
Michigan State did not need a perfect offensive afternoon to handle Toledo, and that was a big part of the appeal in the 30-20 win. The Spartans leaned on special teams in a way fans could feel, with transfer kicker Liam Boyd stepping into his debut and immediately becoming a difference-maker. His five field goals gave the game a steadier rhythm and added points whenever drives stalled, while the rest of the kicking operation helped turn a close opener into a more controlled result.
Boyds impact stood out even more because it came with a personal best and a program mark in his first game, capped by a 51-yard kick that showed plenty of range. Michigan State also got useful work from other special teams pieces, and coach Pat Fitzgerald pointed to the groups aggressive mindset afterward. For a team still sorting out its identity, the Spartans found an edge in a phase of the game that does not always decide headlines, but can shape them just the same. [Read more 🡒]
Young Spartans Already Put Michigan State's Depth Chart On Notice
Michigan State used a lot of bodies in its Week 1 win over Toledo, and the group that stood out most may have been the younger one. The Spartans played 54 players in all, giving first- and second-year contributors a real chance to show where they fit as the season takes shape. That included Marvis Parrish at running back, Jayden Savoury at tight end, Bryson Williams at receiver, and a handful of young defenders such as Derrick Simmons, Cal Thrush, DiMari Malone and Jonathan Granby.
For a program still sorting out its rotation, that kind of early usage matters because it offers an immediate glimpse at who can handle more than just developmental reps. The snaps were spread around, but the depth chart never really feels settled in September, and Michigan State now has more film on several young Spartans who made themselves part of the conversation right away. What happens next with those roles will be worth watching as the competition inside the roster begins to sharpen. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Women Have A Real Chance To Climb This Week
Michigan States womens golf team gave itself a workable starting point at the Folds of Honor Collegiate, opening at American Dunes Golf Club with a round that left the Spartans in the middle of the pack and within striking distance. Kansas set the early pace at 4-under par, but the first round did not produce separation across much of the leaderboard, which keeps plenty of teams in play as the event moves on.
The Spartans were steadied by sophomore Sarisa Pojanalai and senior Keeley Marx, who matched rounds of 1-over par 73 to give Michigan State a pair of reliable scores. In a tournament where one clean round can change the picture quickly, that kind of balanced start gives the Spartans a chance to keep climbing if the rest of the lineup can follow suit. [Read more 🡒]