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Michigan State football: Grading Spartans’ depth chart ahead of season-opener
By Adam Biggers
Published:
Michigan State isn’t a favorite to win the Big Ten, but it has the right stuff to make a run.
Despite losing WR Jalen Nailor and RB Kenneth Walker III, the Spartans’ offense remains potent heading into 2022. There are some questions of depth — which will be graded in this piece — but there is enough top-end talent to guide the ship.
Mel Tucker has evolved into one of the game’s highest-profile coaches and continues to elevate the Spartans in the post-Mark Dantonio era. There is no doubt that Michigan State will stay put as a premier program in the Big Ten — with growing national appeal — under the control of Tucker.
However, the real question surrounding the Spartans this season is this: Do they have enough depth to cover some setbacks? Being one-deep at a position is never an ideal scenario. There just doesn’t seem to be a lot, in terms of experience, behind the household names on the roster.
On Sept. 2, No. 15-ranked Michigan State hosts Western Michigan for a Friday-nighter in East Lansing, hoping to quickly put things into motion as it prepares for what should be an incredibly competitive Big Ten schedule.
Let’s take a look at the position groups and assign some grades in regard to quality of depth.
Quarterbacks: D-
Coming off a single-season passing TD record, Payton Thorne has earned his spot atop the quarterback depth chart. He’s more than the quarterback; he’s the heart and soul of Spartans football. This past season, he threw for 27 touchdowns in a potent offense that featured one of the country’s top WR tandems in Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed.
Basically a shoo-in for all-conference honors, Thorne — a 6-2, 210-pound senior — has all the necessary attributes and abilities (both mentally and physically) to propel the Spartans into Big Ten contention this fall.
Behind Thorne? Well … the cupboard is pretty bare.
At 6-2 and 185, Noah Kim stands next in line for the Spartans. It’d be a true emergency, an all-hands-on-deck situation, if Thorne were to suffer an injury or miss playing time for any other reason. Kim hasn’t even thrown a pass in a game. And neither of the other 2 QBs on the roster — Hamp Fay and Katin Houser — have a lick of game-day experience.
Originally, Houser committed to Boise State, but he then switched to the Spartans. He’s been pushing Kim for the No. 2 role during camp.
But the fact remains that MSU isn’t deep behind center.
The Spartans’ starter is one of the best QBs in the nation; however, the rest of their QB crop is severely underdeveloped and inexperienced.
Running backs: B+
With the addition of transfers Jarek Broussard (Colorado) and Jalen Berger (Wisconsin), the Spartans are hoping to once again strike gold with a new guy. Coming from Wake Forest, Walker set afire the college football landscape by carrying Michigan State on a weekly basis, racking up 1,636 yards in the process.
Broussard and Berger have each earned high praise during camp and could end up being an incredible 1-2 punch from the backfield. Jordon Simmons appears to be the third back in the mix; he’s experienced and had the second-most rushing yards on the team in 2021, finishing with 296 on 70 attempts.
The Spartans will have to wait for results with Broussard and Berger, but a successful run game seems inevitable this fall when looking at overall depth.
Tight ends: B
Daniel Barker could end up being a key piece to the Spartans’ offense this fall. The 6-4, 250-pound transfer had the third-most catches at Illinois last year (18, 202 yards) and played in each of the Illini’s 12 games. Being a fifth-year player, he brings experience and maturity to the fold — something that the Spartans aren’t lacking at the position, evidenced by veterans Tyler Hunt and Maliq Carr.
Wide receivers: B
With Reed returning, the Spartans know they have at least one proven playmaker at wide receiver (and in the punt return game). He’s the prize of the bunch, but he’s not the only one who’s made some noise during camp. Pay attention to Keon Coleman, who’s in position to challenge for the No. 1 playmaker role at receiver. They’re both starters and should be 2 of MSU’s top weapons this fall.
With 35 catches in 2021, Tre Mosley was productive for the Spartans, who heavily relied on Reed (59 catches) and Nailor (37). Having 2 of the 3 top wideouts returning certainly bodes well for the offense.
Beyond MSU’s top three? Well, a lot of questions.
Offensive line: D
With perhaps one of the most inexperienced O-lines in the Big Ten, Michigan State will have to quickly get acclimated up front if it wants to truly fight for a top spot in the conference. The likes of Michigan and Ohio State are stacked and ready to go, while the Spartans still await results with a group that lost 3 starters.
Depth?!
What depth?
Defensive line: B
Jacob Slade, one of the top DTs in college football, should be the anchor of Michigan State’s defense this season. Already on the Lombardi watch list and highly graded by Pro Football Focus, he will dictate the success of the Spartans’ D-line, which also returns Simeon Barrow, who started 10 games in 2021.
Jeff Pietrowski started 3 games in 2021, finishing with 5.5 sacks, second-most on the team and No. 13 overall in the Big Ten. He might just be one of the league’s top pass-rushers this fall — so keep an eye on the 6-1, 250-pound junior.
Brandon Wright, who entered college as a running back, just started playing DE in 2021. He’ll start this fall for the Spartans, who don’t have much strength at back-up positions along the D-line. There are only 2 starters — Slade and Barrow — who have played a significant amount of snaps.
Linebackers: C
Sense a theme with MSU?
Not a ton of depth across the board.
With the exception of Cal Haladay and Darius Snow, the Spartans don’t have a lot of experience at linebacker. In all likelihood, this will be a position with several moving parts. Jacoby Windmon, a transfer from UNLV, should make an instant impact at WILL — his progression has been the topic of discussion as the Spartans prepare for their season.
Defensive backs: B+
The addition of CB Ameer Speed (Georgia) will certainly help the Spartans rebound from having the worst pass defense in the country. Charles Brantley, known for a game-sealing INT vs. Michigan in 2021, has a chance to start — or it’ll be transfer Ronald Williams (Alabama/Hutchinson CC). Angelo Grose and Xavier Henderson bring great experience to the safety position, serving as ideal mentors for highly touted freshman Jaden Mangham.
Overall, the Spartans’ defensive backs — at least on paper — look to be in a much better place than they were entering (and throughout) the 2021 season.
Adam Biggers brings his expertise on the Michigan beat to Saturday Tradition. Follow him on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.