Michigan State football stock watch following Akron shutout in Week 2

Stock up: Noah Kim, QB

Is this an overreaction? Probably. Noah Kim is a redshirt sophomore quarterback with exactly three pass attempts to his name. His first attempt occurred last week, with Payton Thorne leaving the game for a down due to injury. Kim tossed the ball deep and was accurate enough to draw a pass interference on a Bronco corner and give the Spartans a first.

Against the Zips on Saturday, Kim threw two passes, both completions, for 22 yards. He also got his first career touchdown, that being a 16-yard toss to Tre Mosley.

What is more impressive about this is that Kim should not have been in the game at the time of his scoring toss. Thorne was held out of the game for a short time with the coaching staff being careful with him, and Kim came in to quickly get the only Spartan passing touchdown of the day.

Stock analysis

While I do not think Noah Kim will be a JJ McCarthy and usurp starter Payton Thorne’s spot this season, he has proven himself a good backup in his few snaps thus far. Last season, Thorne did not miss a snap due to injury if I am not mistaken.

This year, Thorne has been proven mortal and missed at least a play in each of the first two games from injury. I do think this is in part from the lower-level opponents the Spartans have faced and the abundance of caution from the training staff. That said, this trend should indicate for the coaching staff has a backup ready with experience, and Kim is quickly growing into that role.