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MSU Football: 7 players trending up after 2022 spring game

By Emmett Matasovsky

Michigan State wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (16) runs out of the tunnel for the Youngstown State game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021.
Michigan State wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick (16) runs out of the tunnel for the Youngstown State game at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Saturday, Sept. 11, 2021. /
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On Saturday, Michigan State football hosted its annual spring game. This gave Spartan fans a preview of the team for the upcoming year.

This was one of the most anticipated spring games in Michigan State history, as Mel Tucker has built a buzz around the program that led to over 40 recruits visiting, as well as bringing Spartans back like Kenneth Walker, Will Gholston, and Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley. Even compared to the spring game after the 2015 College Football Playoff season, this game contained more hope.

Unlike that previous year, where we saw the careers of Connor Cook, Shilique Calhoun, and Aaron Burbridge come to an end along with our “championship window”, this year there was the feeling that the window is open and will remain so for a long, long time.

The first stock that is trending upwards for the Spartans is the most important one, that being Michigan State football itself. At the time of this writing, Eddie Pleasant III has just announced his commitment to Michigan State and appears to be the first of many dominos to fall on Tucker’s recruiting trail. As mentioned above, there was a full grocery list of prospects attending the game in addition to the former greats and local icons.

Rueben Owens, the top running back in the 2023 class, visited and could see himself as a Spartan in the future. Michigan State is rumored to flip a commit from the Alabama Crimson Tide. Michigan State is quickly putting itself back on the radar after a disappointing end to the 2010s.

Another takeaway I had was the accountability in this team. From early enrollee Ade Willie to transfer Khris Bogle to captain Xavier Henderson, I saw players quickly take responsibility for their mistakes and do pushups upon their completion of the drill. Whether it was dropping a ball in a coverage drill or tripping over a bag, these Spartans held themselves accountable first. Tucker has already established a culture, and this culture can bring championships to Michigan State in the future.

All this stated, the spring game brings a few prospects to watch in the future. This one, despite the non-traditional formatting, still brought that with. Who are some Spartans to watch for in a few months?

Honorable mentions: Elijah Collins, Jalen Berger, Jack Nickel, Noah Kim, Jacoby Windmon, Caleb Coley

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