The 2024 season was a forgettable one for Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football and it feels like the tides need to start turning in the other direction for the program to make a comeback.
In order for that to happen, however, Michigan State must convince some guys to return.
After losing guys like Jaron Glover, Charles Brantley, Jaylen Thompson, and Aziah Johnson, the Spartans need to make sure they don't lose more impact players ahead of the 2025 season. All of the guys above could have started in 2025 and have produced at a decent clip.
Which players should Michigan State convince to stay in 2025?
1. Nick Marsh, WR
Nick Marsh had a record-breaking freshman season with Michigan State, breaking all the records for first-year receivers in East Lansing. He had 41 receptions for 649 yards and three touchdowns.
The freshman phenom was everything Michigan State fans had hoped for and more.
Marsh was the best receiver on the team and he became Aidan Chiles' favorite target. He caught basically everything thrown his way and he continued to improve throughout the year.
The former four-star wideout from River Rouge, Mich., lived up to the hype and he's arguably the most important player on the offensive side of the ball so of course the staff should convince him to return. He's the one player who really provided the electricity this past season on offense and the receiving corps has already taken a major hit with Antonio Gates Jr., Aziah Johnson, Jaelen Smith, and Jaron Glover moving on.