There is a lot of excitement surrounding the Michigan State football program after the hiring of Jonathan Smith to take over for Mel Tucker. In helping that excitement, Smith has added a plethora of new talent to the program, while retaining a lot of talent that was already on the roster.
With all the changes incoming, now is a great time to take a look at what the depth chart could look like for the Spartans when they open the season against Florida Atlantic.
There definitely will be some more changes, come the spring transfer window, but as of now, we have a pretty good idea of what’s to come:
Quarterback
1st string: Aidan Chiles, Soph. (Oregon State transfer)
2nd string: Tommy Schuster, R-SR (North Dakota transfer)
3rd string: Alessio Milivojevic, FR OR Rylan Jessee, FR
Analysis: As we enter spring, and the whole offseason, it is expected that the QB1 job is going to be Chiles’ to lose. Tommy Schuster is an experienced transfer who will give Chiles a run for his money, and will be a quality back up option.
Running Back
1st string: Nathan Carter, R-JR
2nd string: Jalen Berger, R-SR OR Jaren Mangham, R-SR OR Jaelon Barbarin R-FR
Analysis: The lead back is going to be Nate Carter, there isn’t much to question about that, but the second string is where things heat up. Mangham will provide great short yardage help, while Berger has shown flashes in a pass catching role. The wild card will be the progression Barbarin has, and how his speed can change the game.
Wide Receiver
1st string: Montorie Foster, R-SR, TJ Sheffield, R-SR (Purdue transfer), Ron Glover, R-Soph
2nd string: Antonio Gates Jr., R-Soph, Alante Brown, R-SR, Nick Marsh, FR
Analysis: There is a really good mix of experience and youth in the wide receiver room. I would expect all six of these guys get a good chunk of the snaps, while there is several redshirt freshman that could push their way into the playing group. This is also a position that the Spartans may look to the portal for at the end of the spring window.
Tight End
1st string: Jack Velling, JR, Brennan Parachek, Soph
2nd string: Jack Nickel, R-Soph, Michael Masunas, R-Soph, Tyneil Hopper, R-SR
Analysis: Velling was a huge, elite add to this position group for MSU. After Velling, there is a lot of uncertainty, but Parachek showed a lot of signs of being a plus player. If the numbers work out right, the staff could look to the portal for another tight end after spring.
Offensive Line
- LT: Brandon Baldwin, R-SR
- B-LT: Ashton Lepo, R-Soph
- LG: Luke Newman, R-SR, (Holy Cross transfer)
- B-LG: Kris Phillips, R-Soph
- C: Tanner Miller, R-SR, (Oregon State transfer)
- B-C: Dallas Fincher, R-SR
- RG: Geno VanDeMark, R-JR
- B-RG: Gavin Broscious, R-Soph
- RT: Ethan Boyd, R-JR
- B-RT: Braden Miller, R-Soph OR Stanton Ramil, R-FR
Analysis: The offensive line unit is going to be a huge unit if MSU is going to have success in 2024. The staff did a great job adding transfers Tanner Miller and Luke Newman, while retaining VanDeMark (who was being heavily pushed by Oklahoma). The second unit has a lot of young talent, but will definitely need some development and refining.
Defensive Tackle
1st string: Simeon Barrow, R-SR, Derrick Harmon, R-JR
2nd string: Maverick Hansen, R-SR, D’Quan Douse, R-SR, (Georgia Tech transfer), Alex VanSumeren, R-Soph
Analysis: This is the most experienced unit on the roster and the team will need them to play that way in order to set the tone up the middle. The unit does not have young depth, though, which is a concern for 2025 and beyond. If the Spartans add another transfer here, I’d expect it to be a non impact, developmental piece.
Defensive End
1st string: Khris Bogle, R-SR, Quindarius Dunnigan, R-SR
2nd string: Jalen Thompson, Soph, Ken Talley, R-Soph, Avery Dunn, R-SR
3rd string: Andrew Depaepe, R-FR, Bai Jobe, R-FR, James Schott, R-Soph
Analysis: Pass rushing will be a bit of a concern with this group, as there is no true pass rusher, but there is a good mix of seniors and youth. While the seniors will need to brunt the load, getting dirty, the youth can provide a spark in pass rushing while learning the ropes.
Linebacker
1st string: Jordan Hall, Soph, Wayne Matthews, R-JR, (Old Dominion transfer), Jordan Turner, R-SR, (Wisconsin transfer)
2nd string: Cal Haladay, R-SR, Darius Snow, R-SR, Ma’a Gaoteote, JR
Analysis: The transfer portal was a huge help to this group, adding two huge impact transfers to a group that has struggled, especially in pass coverage. While a veteran group, it will be interesting to see the development of this group.
Cornerback
- CB: Dillon Tatum, JR
- B-CB: Marqui Lowery, R-SR
- CB: Chance Rucker, Soph
- B-CB: Charles Brantley, SR
- NB: Angelo Grose, R-SR
- B-NB: Caleb Coley, R-Soph
Analysis: Its no secret this unit has struggled in the past, but Tatum and Rucker have shown a lot of promise at a young age, while there is a lot of veteran depth to the unit. In a perfect world, Tatum will move to nickelback while a capable corner will step up to take his role.
Safety
1st string: Jaden Mangham, JR, Malik Spencer, JR
2nd string: Armorian Smith, R-JR, Khalil Majeed, R-JR
Analysis: It’s not a deep unit, but Mangham and Spencer have been solid. There is a solid crop of young players sitting in the third string role that could potentially step up for this group, if needed.
Special Teams
- K: Jonathan Kim, R-SR
- B-K: Martin Connington, FR OR Stephen Rusnak, R-JR
- P: Ryan Eckley, R-Soph
- B-P: Carson Voss, R-JR, (Western Michigan transfer)
- LS: Kaden Schickel, R-JR, (James Madison transfer)
Analysis: Jonathan Kim coming back is a huge boost for the team, being a reliable kicker while Connington learns the ropes. Eckley has a huge boot at punter, which is a huge plus. Schickel is also a huge add at long snapper, an underappreciated position on the field.
