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

By Emmett Matasovsky

Dearborn Fordson's Antonio Gates Jr. celebrates after a touchdown against Livonia Churchill on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Dearborn.Preps
Dearborn Fordson's Antonio Gates Jr. celebrates after a touchdown against Livonia Churchill on Friday, Oct. 8, 2021, in Dearborn.Preps /
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Jack Nickel, TE

TE room:

Losing: Connor Heyward, Trenton Gillison, Parks Gissinger, Kam Allen
Returning: Tyler Hunt, Maliq Carr, Adam Berghorst, Evan Morris
Bringing in: Michael Masunas, Daniel Barker (transfer)

Jack Nickel (No. 528 nationally, No. 28 TE) comes into the program at a great time. Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson has been on the record stating that tight end will be the MVP of the offense. As evidenced by Connor Heyward’s breakout season, the proper tight end will get targets and can change the game.

Tyler Hunt has consistent hands and Maliq Carr had a breakout game again Penn State last year, making the path to the field harder for Nickel. With the packages MSU trotted out last year, it is not a stretch to believe there could be packages with a combination of Carr, Hunt, Daniel Barker, and Nickel on the field this year.

Nickel is an early enrollee, so he will get a full offseason in with the Spartans prior to his freshman season. This should give him a leg up on fellow tight end signee Michael Masunas. Additionally, Carr is currently with the Michigan State basketball team, which will give Nickel a better chance to shine with one less tight end available for targets and drills.

Nickel can fill the role left Heyward left on this team, as he is more of an athletic receiver with solid blocking skills.

Prediction

Nickel can very easily fill the Heyward-shaped hole in this roster. Berghorst and Morris have each played different positions in their time for the Spartans and Nickel should be able to beat them out and establish himself as a second-stringer.

Additionally, it is unknown if Hunt will pursue a graduate year. Unfortunately for Nickel, his receiving style leaves him to compete with the Spartans’ logjam at receiver. I estimate it is 50/50 if Nickel redshirts or sees the field this year. Nickel’s playing time situation is not helped by the Illinois record-holding tight end (Barker) transferring in.

If Nickel continues to show off his blocking prowess, he will be the next great tight end for the Spartans. Berghorst will take red zone touches with his superior size, leaving Nickel to carve out a different role. Regardless, he might see the field when size is wanted.

It will be interesting to see who Jay Johnson wants in his offense the most; Barker, Carr, Hunt, and Nickel can all make compelling arguments.

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