Offense
The quarterback position should belong to Alessio Milivojevic, but he will be pushed by UCF transfer Cam Fancher. Milivojevic started the final four games last season and threw for 1,267 yards and 10 touchdowns. Fancher brings dual threat ability but has only completed over 60% of his passes during one of his four seasons.
The running back room returns some experience in Brandon Tullis and Jace Clarizio. The additions of Cam Edwards (UConn), Jaziun Patterson (Iowa), Marvis Parrish (Western Kentucky), and Kenneth Williams (Nebraska) give this group plenty of options. Edwards rushed for 1,240 yards at nearly six yards per carry last season.
The wide receiver room returns experience in Chrishon McCray, Rodney Bullard, and tight end Brennan Parachek. The additions of Frederick Moore (Michigan), KK Smith (Notre Dame), Jameel Gardner (Jackson State), and tight end Carson Gulkier (D2 Ferris State) provide playmakers to this unit.
The offensive line room returns experience in Conner Moore, Rakeem Johnson, Rustin Young, and Luke Vincic. The additions of Trent Fraley (North Dakota State), Nick Sharpe (South Carolina), Robert Wright Jr. (Georgia Southern), and Ben Murowski (UConn) are massive for this unit. Murowski will anchor this unit.
Defense
The defensive line room is a bit thin. Isaac Smith, Kekai Burnett, Ben Roberts, and Anelu LaFaele have experience. The additions of Kenny Soares Jr. (NC State), Eli Coenen (Illinois), Trey Lisle (Southeast Missouri State), Keahnist Thompson (Weber State), and Carlos Hazelwood (Toledo) will be relied upon to produce.
The linebacker room returns some experience in Jordan Hall and Brady Pretzlaff. Hall led the team in tackles last season with 88. The additions of Caleb Wheatland (Auburn) and Dion Crawford (Buffalo) are crucial to this unit’s success.
The secondary is very transfer heavy. Nikai Martinez, Aveon Grose, Khalil Majeed, and NiJhay Burt return with experience. The additions of Charles Brantley (Miami), Cam Stodghill (UAlbany), Tre Bell (Iowa State), Michael Richard (Louisiana Tech), Devin Vaught (Maine), and Tyran Chappell (Houston Christian) are huge.
Specialists
Transfers will take all the major roles. Kicking duties will belong to Charlotte transfer Liam Boyd, who has a strong leg. Punting duties will belong to Iowa transfer Rhys Dakin. Even long snapper Nick Duzansky transfers in from Oregon.
2026 Schedule
- 9/4 Toledo
- 9/12 Eastern Michigan
- 9/19 at Notre Dame
- 9/26 Nebraska
- 10/3 at Wisconsin
- 10/10 Illinois
- 10/17 Northwestern
- 10/24 at UCLA
- 11/7 at Michigan
- 11/14 Washington
- 11/20 Oregon
- 11/28 at Rutgers
Final Analysis
Michigan State hired Pat Fitzgerald to rebuild this program and return it to the days of physical, disciplined football. The Spartans should be measured by their growth and development this season. Fitzgerald hired an amazing staff to help with this rebuild.
