Jordan Hall made a huge announcement on Tuesday night, giving Michigan State football fans — and Pat Fitzgerald — an early Christmas present. The junior linebacker announced that he’d be returning for his senior season in East Lansing after an impressive 2025 campaign.
This gives Fitzgerald his leader of the defense, and new co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Max Bullough now has a potential All-American linebacker to work with.
Alessio Milivojevic, Brady Pretzlaff, Derrick Simmons, Aydan West, Braylon Collier, and Jayden Savoury, among others, all look like they’ll be back for 2026, but who else does Fitzgerald need to make sure returns this offseason?
1. Conner Moore, OT
In order to win in the Big Ten, or in college football in general, you need to build in the trenches. Fitzgerald knows that he has to address both the offensive and defensive lines because those two position groups have been lacking the most over the past few seasons. It’s the main reason Michigan State was so bad in 2025.
Enter, Conner Moore.
With Matt Gulbin gone, Michigan State is going to need a veteran leader to spearhead the group, and that’s where Moore comes in. He was solid in 2025, but he didn’t have much help around him. He might be an All-Big Ten talent with the right linemen helping him out.
Rustin Young was another option here. Both coming back would be huge.
2. Chrishon McCray, WR
It feels weird to put a receiver at No. 2, but with Nick Marsh entering the transfer portal, Michigan State is going to need some explosiveness and sure hands at the position. That’s where Chrishon McCray comes in.
Through the first eight games of the season, McCray was held in check for the most part, accounting for more than two catches just one time and he had over 20 yards just four times. He had three-plus catches in three of his final four games and finished with over 20 yards in each contest. It’s clear that his relationship with Milivojevic was much better than what he had with Aidan Chiles.
McCray could be a legit WR1 if he returns.
3. Alex VanSumeren, DL
Alex VanSumeren had a productive junior season with Michigan State, totaling 52 tackles, two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks. He probably could’ve found his way into the backfield more, but the entire line struggled and it’s tough when you don’t have effective pass rushers on the edges to take pressure off the interior.
VanSumeren is still the leader of the defensive line, and him returning would be huge for the development of some of the younger guys, too.
I’d also like to see Jalen Thompson back, but VanSumeren is a crucial piece to the puzzle. I’d be shocked if he decided to hit the transfer portal, but anything is possible nowadays.
Honorable Mention: Jace Clarizio, RB
Running backs are far from the most valuable position on the team, but having a good running back behind a competent offensive line makes for a world of difference on offense.
Jace Clarizio is the future of the backfield, and with Makhi Frazier hitting the portal and only Brandon Tullis coming back (as of right now), Clarizio returning will be important. He redshirted in 2025 and will have four years of eligibility, and many believe he has the tools to become a true workhorse back.
Fitzgerald is going to want to establish the run, and Clarizio can help get that done. He has a bright future, and he might be the most exciting skill position underclassman on the roster.