Michigan State football: Playing time odds for 2022 class offensive signees

Jack Stone, K

K room:

Losing: Matt Coghlin, Evan Johnson
Returning: Stephen Rusnak

Jack Stone (No. 1,788 nationally, No. 7 K) is the final prospect to discuss.

After what seemed like a decade of Matt Coghlin, Stone is the kicking heir apparent for the Spartans. The Spartans have struggled on field goals over the past two years, and Stone will have this summer to try to beat out Stephen Rusnak who had a shot when Matt Coghlin was injured last year, but he went 0-1 on field goal attempts and missed one of his five extra-point attempts in five games played for the Spartans.

If Stone is as good as promised, the collective blood pressure on Spartan Stadium every Saturday will be significantly lower when the field goal unit trots on out. Coghlin set records for the Spartans, but his cold streaks were not a great time for the green and white faithful.

Prediction

Starter. Rusnak will likely handle kickoff duties, and Stone will be given the job on the field goal unit. Rusnak missing 1-of-3 of his kicking opportunities last season will not endear him to a team that preaches execution at every level.

Stone will also be the only scholarship kicker next year, putting more pressure to perform as well as an expectation on him. It will be interesting to see if Mel Tucker continues to utilize the No. 4 as the default starting kicker number. If this is the case, the kicker wearing No. 4 for Western Michigan game, Rusnak or Stone, will be the Spartans’ starter next year.