Michigan State’s first fall camp under Pat Fitzgerald is winding down, and the Spartans are getting closer to real game prep with next Friday’s opener against Toledo.
With the depth chart starting to come into focus, there’s a clearer picture of where this roster stands. The Spartans still don’t have a ton of proven depth, but if Fitzgerald can guide this team to a bowl berth, it would go down as one of the best coaching jobs of his career.
And when you sort the position groups from top to bottom, one thing jumps out fast: Michigan State’s strength is in the backfield.
Running back sits alone at No. 1 after a major offseason upgrade. UConn transfer Cam Edwards headlines the room, and he’s already set a personal goal of being the best rusher in college football.
Behind him is Marvis Parrish, a rising player who arrived from Western Kentucky, along with Jaziun Patterson, who transferred in from Iowa, and Brandon Tullis, who is back after sharing starting carries last season. Zion Gist and Jace Clarizio are both second-year players with intrigue, and Kenneth Williams adds another layer after earning All-Big Ten return specialist honors at Nebraska last season.
There’s no shortage of options here.
Quarterback comes in at No. 2, and the case for that spot is depth. Michigan State has veteran FAU transfer Cam Fancher, freshman Kayd Coffman, and second-year quarterback Leo Hannan behind starter Milivojevic, who Fitzgerald believes is an underrated starter and will be better than most expect. That kind of stability matters if the starter ever has to miss time.
The offensive line lands at No. 3, and that’s higher than some might have it. Nick Tabacca deserves plenty of credit for that, and the group’s depth is a big reason why.
Ben Murawski, Trent Fraley, and Conner Moore are all All-Big Ten candidates, while Nick Sharpe and Rakeem Johnson could turn heads. Robert Wright Jr., Rustin Young, AJ Dennis, Luka Vincic, and Collin Campbell are also in the mix to rotate.
For Michigan State fans, that’s a welcome change.
Linebacker checks in at No. 4, with Jordan Hall driving the whole group. He’s one of the best linebackers in the country, and in a 4-2-5, having one starting linebacker at that level gives the Spartans something real to build around.
Brady Pretzlaff is a breakout candidate, while DiMari Malone, Adam Shaw, and DeJae White are young players with star potential. Dion Crawford, Cam Stodghill, and Caleb Wheatland bring experience, giving this unit a nice balance.
Wide receiver lands fifth, but it might end up climbing as the season goes on. Chrishon McCray is the headliner and could even become Michigan State’s first 1,000-yard receiver since Jayden Reed in 2021.
Rod Bullard Jr. brings speed after getting another year, and Bryson Williams is a name to watch as a possible WR3. Fredrick Moore and KK Smith arrived via transfer to help the group, and Braylon Collier, Charles Taplin, and Samson Gash are all young players with plenty of upside.
Tight end sits at No. 6.
There’s an argument for pushing it higher, but the production just isn’t there yet. Jayden Savoury looks like a prime breakout candidate, Carson Gulker offers the kind of versatile skill set teams love, and Brennan Parachek could finally match the promise that came with his four-star recruiting status.
The group has depth, but it still needs someone to separate from the pack.
The secondary is No. 7, even though the starting group could be strong. Charles Brantley returns at corner, which is an upgrade, and Tre Bell should be a major addition after transferring from Iowa State.
At safety, Nikai Martinez, Devin Vaught, and Michael Richard form a solid trio. The problem is what comes after them.
The depth is thin, and that keeps this unit down the list.
Defensive line brings up the rear at No. 8, and that reflects how rough things have been up front for Michigan State in recent years. Losing Jalen Thompson and Alex VanSumeren is a blow, but Kenny Soares Jr. gives the group a key piece and is arguably the best lineman on the roster.
Ben Roberts and Derrick Simmons could also be in line for big seasons. There’s youth here, but not much proven production.
How this ranking changes once the season gets rolling should be worth watching.
In Other News...
Michigan States New Defense Has One Problem Fans Cant Ignore
Michigan State is heading into its first season under Pat Fitzgerald with a defense that looks far more established than it did a year ago. As the Spartans prepare for the opener against Toledo, the staff has pieced together a unit built around returning veterans and transfers, with experience across the defensive line, at linebacker and in the secondary. There is more proven leadership in place now, and that alone gives this group a different feel entering the fall.
The concern, though, is hard to miss: depth still looks thin enough to matter. Michigan State can lean on veteran starters to begin the year, but the real test may come if injuries start to hit and the Spartans have to go beyond the top layer of the roster. For a defense that was rebuilt around experience, the ability to survive those inevitable stretches could end up shaping how reliable this team is over the course of the season. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan States New Offense Still Has A Few Crucial Camp Battles
Michigan States new offense is starting to take shape in fall camp, and the early projection gives a decent sense of where Pat Fitzgeralds staff may be leaning. Alessio Milivojevic appears to be the quarterback to watch, Cam Edwards is lined up at running back, and the rest of the offensive picture is beginning to settle as coaches sort through the first-team and backup options at each spot.
Even so, there are still a few places where camp is likely to decide more than reputation or early buzz. The offensive line and receiver group both have some uncertainty attached to them, and those battles matter because Fitzgeralds first offense in East Lansing will need enough stability to function from the start. The depth chart may look clearer by the day, but a handful of key jobs still feel very much up for grabs. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State's Roster Overhaul Is Already Changing More Than This Season
Michigan State is heading into the season with a roster that already looks very different from the one that finished last year, and the changes go well beyond simply plugging a few holes. The Spartans are bringing in 62 new players, a mix of transfers and freshmen, and the staff has made clear that the rebuild is being shaped around both immediate help and longer-term depth.
Up front, the offensive line remains the biggest point of emphasis after last seasons struggles, and several transfers are expected to compete for starting jobs right away. The receiver room is also set for a more active rotation, with younger players in line for snaps, while cornerback stands out as another area where Michigan State has talent with future eligibility still in the program. [Read more 🡒]