The return of Michigan State football means a couple of things these days.
For one, it means that the Michigan State basketball season has ended and spring football is the only thing keeping Spartan fans sane. It also means that we’re one step closer to getting some bad injury news — it happens every single spring.
It’s especially bad for one position group in particular.
For years under Mel Tucker and Jonathan Smith, Michigan State had so many injuries on its offensive line that it couldn’t have a normal spring game. The Spartans just didn’t have enough offensive linemen to create two separate teams, so it became a one offense vs. one defense scrimmage. Fans used to be treated with an actual game with quarters and a final score. Injuries changed that.
East Lansing must be cursed because that same issue has apparently resurfaced under Pat Fitzgerald. Per the new head coach, there are only 8-9 offensive linemen fully healthy right now and that’s going to dictate when the team scrimmages this spring.
According to the spring roster, Michigan State has 12 offensive linemen on the roster before the rest of the 2026 class gets to campus. That means 3-4 guys are already injured.
Not great news for a position group that has lacked adequate depth for years.
The offensive line is key to Michigan State’s 2026 success
If Michigan State is going to have any success or even sniff a bowl game in 2026, it’s going to be because the offensive line took a healthy step in the right direction under Nick Tabacca.
If the Spartans struggle, it’s going to come down to play in the trenches.
Having a healthy offensive line is important not just for depth, but also continuity. It’s been years since Michigan State started the same five offensive linemen for an entire season together. While it’s rare to have the same line for an entire year because common injuries happen, It’s felt like Michigan State has had a new starting offensive line combination every game.
The Spartans are going to need a lot of growth and improvement from this position group, and I believe in that with guys like Andrew Dennis, Trent Fraley, Rakeem Johnson, Conner Moore, Ben Murawski, Nick Sharpe, Rustin Young, and Luka Vincic anchoring the room.
The pieces are there, but will they be healthy come August?