Jonathan Smith was not surprised to see Nick Marsh’s breakout performance in Week 2. However, it adds another weapon to Michigan State’s offense as the season develops.

Coming out of high school, Marsh was a 4-star wide receiver and one of the top players from the state of Michigan in the 2024 recruiting class. He was the key piece of the cycle for Smith’s Spartans, and he’s now making an immediate impact.

After 1 catch for 11 yards in the season opener, Marsh exploded with a big game in Week 2. Smith said after the game Marsh was “progressing” throughout training camp and the plan had always been to utilize Marsh more in Week 2.

Smith also said Marsh is a player “mature beyond his years” at this point in the process.

That playing time paid off in a big way as Marsh quickly became a go-to target for quarterback Aidan Chiles. Marsh led the Spartans with 8 catches for 194 yards and a touchdown, and it was a 77-yard connection with Chiles that ultimately tied the game late in the fourth quarter.

Smith described the moment after the game as Marsh coming onto the stage “in a big, big way.”

With Michigan State already possessing some key receivers in Jaron Glover and Montorie Foster Jr., the ascension of Marsh gives the offense a true group of weapons with which to attack opponents. There are still going to be some growing pains, but Smith has the start of a formidable unit on that side of the ball.