Friday night's opener has been long anticipated for Michigan State football fans. The bad taste of a blowout loss to Rutgers in the season finale lasted all offseason, and promises of a better season loom large.
Jonathan Smith has been talking all offseason about how important it is to grow together and for everyone to get on the same page to move forward, and now we get to see that in action. The Spartans will host Western Michigan on Friday night in one of the most anticipated openers in years.
There's an excitement and buzz back in East Lansing.
Friday night didn't provide just good vibes on Friday night, however. A Michigan State spokesperson confirmed that two players are no longer with the team.
Breaking News: Confirmed by an MSU spokesperson, RS freshman Dyson Sims and RS Junior RB Chris Williams are no longer on the Michigan State Football roster.
— Matthew Eichstaedt (@ikerss98) August 29, 2025
Dyson Sims and Chris Williams are no longer with the team.
Williams was buried on the depth chart at running back as a junior, so his departure isn't a huge surprise, but it's interesting that the news came out right before the first game. He doesn't have a career carry, so Michigan State isn't losing any playing experience there.
As for Sims, he left the team after spring ball, and then it was reported a couple of weeks ago that he was back with the team. The younger brother of former Michigan State and NFL tight end Dion Sims is once again no longer on the roster. He also plays a position that has plenty of depth (receiver) for Michigan State.
Michigan State will move forward down two depth pieces.