Jordan Hall’s Return Sets the Tone - But Who Else Needs to Stay for Michigan State’s 2026 Rebuild?
Christmas came a little early for Michigan State football fans - and for head coach Pat Fitzgerald - when linebacker Jordan Hall announced he’ll be returning for his senior season. In a year where the Spartans are looking to reset and rebuild, keeping a defensive cornerstone like Hall is a massive win.
Hall was a force in 2025, anchoring a defense that often found itself on the field too long due to offensive struggles. With his leadership, physicality, and high football IQ, Hall gives new co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Max Bullough a potential All-American to build around.
And make no mistake - Hall isn’t just coming back to play. He’s coming back to lead.
But Hall’s return is just one piece of the offseason puzzle. Several key contributors are expected back - including Alessio Milivojevic, Brady Pretzlaff, Derrick Simmons, Aydan West, Braylon Collier, and Jayden Savoury - but if Michigan State wants to take a real step forward in 2026, there are a few more names Fitzgerald needs to keep in green and white.
Let’s break down the top returnees who could shape the Spartans’ future.
1. Conner Moore, OT - The Anchor in the Trenches
If there’s one place Michigan State has to get better, it’s the offensive and defensive lines. The Spartans simply weren’t good enough up front in 2025, and that’s where most of their problems started - and ended.
That’s why keeping Conner Moore is so critical.
With veteran Matt Gulbin moving on, Moore becomes the de facto leader of the offensive line. He was solid throughout the 2025 season, showing flashes of high-level play despite inconsistent help around him. Give him a more cohesive unit, and Moore has the potential to develop into an All-Big Ten caliber tackle.
He’s not just a body up front - he’s the kind of player who can set the tone for the entire offense. If Michigan State wants to establish the run game and protect Milivojevic, it starts with Moore holding down the edge.
Rustin Young is another name worth watching here, and if both return, the Spartans could actually have a foundation to build on up front - something that’s been missing in East Lansing for a while.
2. Chrishon McCray, WR - A Rising Threat in the Passing Game
Wide receiver might not be the first position that comes to mind when you think of make-or-break returnees, but Chrishon McCray’s situation is different - especially with Nick Marsh entering the transfer portal.
McCray’s 2025 season was a tale of two halves. Early on, he was quiet - limited to just one game with more than two catches in the first eight weeks, and only four games with more than 20 receiving yards. But then something clicked.
Over the final stretch, McCray started to build chemistry with quarterback Alessio Milivojevic. He had three or more receptions in three of his last four games and topped 20 yards in each of those contests. It wasn’t just the numbers - it was the timing, the trust, and the rhythm that started to develop between the two.
That’s the kind of growth you want to see from a young receiver.
If McCray returns, he has a real shot to become WR1 in 2026. He’s got the hands, the quickness, and now, the quarterback connection.
Michigan State doesn’t need him to be a superstar - just a consistent, reliable target who can stretch the field and move the chains. And he’s trending in that direction.
3. Alex VanSumeren, DL - The Heart of the Defensive Front
Jordan Hall may be the emotional leader of the defense, but Alex VanSumeren is the heartbeat of the defensive line.
The junior defensive tackle turned in a productive 2025 campaign, notching 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. The numbers don’t jump off the page, but context matters - VanSumeren was often fighting through double teams on a line that lacked consistent edge pressure. Without help on the outside, interior linemen like VanSumeren are left to do the dirty work with little reward.
Still, he was a steady presence and a tone-setter in the trenches.
His return would be massive for a young defensive front still trying to find its identity. Beyond what he brings on the field, VanSumeren’s experience and leadership would be invaluable in helping bring along the next wave of Spartan defenders.
Jalen Thompson is another name worth mentioning here, but VanSumeren is the centerpiece. If Michigan State wants to be tougher up front - and they have to be - keeping No. 99 in the middle is a must.
Honorable Mention: Jace Clarizio, RB - The Future of the Backfield
Running backs may not carry the same weight they used to in the college game, but don’t overlook Jace Clarizio.
With Makhi Frazier entering the portal and only Brandon Tullis confirmed to return, Clarizio has a real opportunity to seize the RB1 role in 2026. He redshirted in 2025, preserving four years of eligibility, and those around the program believe he has all the tools to be a feature back.
He’s got vision, burst, and a physical running style that fits what Fitzgerald wants to establish - a ground-and-pound identity that controls the clock and keeps the defense fresh.
Clarizio’s value will skyrocket if the offensive line improves. Give him a few creases, and he can do serious damage. He might not be the flashiest name on the roster, but he could end up being one of the most important for the Spartans’ offensive identity moving forward.
Final Thoughts
Jordan Hall’s decision to return is a major domino - but it can’t be the only one. If Michigan State wants to take a meaningful step in 2026, it starts with keeping its core intact. Conner Moore, Chrishon McCray, Alex VanSumeren, and Jace Clarizio represent more than just returning players - they’re foundational pieces.
Fitzgerald has work to do this offseason. But with the right returnees, the Spartans might just be ready to turn the corner.