Michigan State doesn’t appear to be circling any late fifth-year additions, and Pat Fitzgerald didn’t leave much room for mystery.
When asked whether the staff was weighing a move, Fitzgerald made clear the Spartans are still open to improving the roster in general, but not necessarily in this unusual corner of the market.
"Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, we're looking to make our roster better," Pat Fitzgerald said when asked if the staff was considering a move. "Whatever that means, this is a really unique, nuanced situation.
As I sit here today, there's nothing for me to say one way or the other with that. We're always looking though, but it's kind of a unicorn [situation]...
I would say right now, as I stand here today, there's nothing on the horizon."
The issue stems from the NCAA’s age-based eligibility system, which has opened the door for some players to chase a fifth season. It has also sparked pushback, since true seniors who already used up their eligibility were excluded even though they would have qualified had the rule been in place a year earlier. That has led to a flood of court cases, with players generally winning.
The mess matters more in college basketball, where redshirting is less common, but it has touched football too. Michigan State had three true seniors last season who reached the end of the line: wide receiver Omari Kelly, safety Malik Spencer and tight end Jack Velling.
None of them seem to be aiming for a return, and all three waived their eligibility when they signed UDFA contracts with their NFL teams.
There are players from other schools who could still pursue another year, but adding one of them now would be a tricky lift for any program. The timing makes it even tougher, with the season approaching and teams having little chance to work a newcomer through spring ball, summer workouts or fall camp.
"It would be a unique situation," Fitzgerald said. "I think it would take a handful of weeks to get somebody up to speed.
I mean, if Aaron Donald wants to come, we'll take him on the d-line... You get a guy up to speed schematically, the relationships will probably be slower to go, and then they've gotta earn a role if that were to be the case.
It wouldn't be that we're bringing you in and you're starting or you're in the rotation: it would be the other way around."
In Other News...
Michigan States 2026 Offense Comes Down To One Lingering Concern
Michigan States offensive outlook for 2026 starts with continuity, even after a roster shuffle that leaves the unit slightly smaller than it was a year ago. The Spartans are bringing back 26 players on offense and adding 24 more through transfers and high school recruits, with Alessio Milivojevic expected to return as the starting quarterback. New arrivals are also projected to help fortify the offensive line and inject fresh options into the backfield, which points to a run game that could take a step forward.
The concern comes a little farther out on the depth chart, where the picture is less settled. Tight end and wide receiver both carry some questions after key departures from the 2025 group, and those spots will matter more if the Spartans want the passing game to match the rest of the offense. There is enough talent coming in to keep the ceiling intact, but those two rooms remain the lingering issue as Michigan State tries to build a cleaner, more balanced attack for 2026. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Has 3 Early Reasons To Ignore That Big Ten Projection
Michigan States mens soccer program got a small but notable preseason boost when Miles Merritt, Brandon Munson and Peter Soudan were all named to the 2026 Big Ten Players to Watch List by the conference office. Its the kind of recognition that gives the Spartans some early validation even as the leagues preseason poll slotted them 10th, far behind Washington at No. 1.
The list also points to why Michigan State might not be eager to buy into that projection. Merritt, Munson and Soudan each bring a different kind of value to a roster trying to push upward, and the Spartans will get their first chance to show where they really stand when they open the season against UAlbany. Preseason labels only go so far, but Michigan State has enough on its side to make the conversation interesting early. [Read more 🡒]