Michigan State football stock watch following Western Michigan win

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 02: Keon Coleman #0 of Michigan State catches the ball over pressure from SaVeon Brown #23 of Western Michigan during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on September 2, 2022. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /

Stock up: Keon Coleman and Germie Bernard

The offensive players who stood out to me most on Friday were Keon Coleman and Germie Bernard. The latter scored the first offensive touchdown of the season after a Western defender misplayed Bernard’s route, but there was more to it than just that.

Bernard is a polished route runner for a true freshman. On Payton Thorne’s only interception of the day, Bernard had broken open, but the quarterback’s throw hung in the air for just a second too long and was picked. If I am nitpicking, Bernard should have tried to highpoint the ball and take a hit to avoid the interception, but this was the first game of his freshman year. Bernard only had one catch for 44 yards, but he saw the field a lot on offense as well as being back for kick returns.

It is clear that this is another freshman receiver that Mel Tucker will not use a redshirt on.

Speaking of non-redshirted players, Coleman came into his true sophomore campaign swinging. Coleman was the leading receiver for the Spartans on the day, with four catches for 84 yards. The Spartans decided to run the Keon play in the second quarter, with Coleman making a high-point catch and spinning into the end zone. Coleman played with something to prove on Friday night, and I had him as the most impressive receiver on the field. It did not help that Jayden Reed was dinged up, but if Coleman can step into the role vacated by Jalen Nailor, the Spartan offense will be in a good position this season.

These two players, along with Montorie Foster (who missed the game with an injury), will be able to replace Nailor by committee as well as giving Mosley and Reed some time to catch their breath. The most loaded offensive position this year appears to be receivers.

Stock analysis

Buy in on Coleman. He is the real deal if Friday night was anything to go off. I definitely have him as someone to watch. If he makes an All-Big Ten team, I would not be surprised at all.

As for Bernard, I expect to see him used a decent amount this year. I am not expecting him to finish with over 350 receiving yards on the season, however.

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