Jonathan Smith continues to heap praise on improved offensive line

Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in East Lansing.
Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during practice on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, in East Lansing. | Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Big Ten Network made a pit stop in East Lansing on Thursday to check in on Jonathan Smith's Michigan State football program, and analysts like Dave Revsine gave their insight on the team.

The crew got to take in a Michigan State practice, and Revsine even said that the Spartans are "clearly" better than they were last season. They look much more confident, and the mood was business-like as the team began preparations for Western Michigan.

Smith got to speak to Revsine about the outlook heading into the season, and he continued to heap some praise on a particular position group that he's been high on all offseason.

The second-year head coach, once again, praised his offensive line.

Smith spoke highly of the unit as a whole, saying that its depth has been a major improvement, as well as some schematic stuff. He wanted to create more competition on the offensive line, and he's done that by adding some key pieces via the transfer portal, including Conner Moore and recently-named captain Matt Gulbin.

The Spartans also return guys like Ashton Lepo and Stanton Ramil to go along with Payton Stewart, Kristian Phillips, Rustin Young, Cole Dellinger, and Gavin Broscious. This unit is reportedly "9-10" guys deep, meaning that Smith could legitimately do a rotation change and not see much of a drop-off.

When was the last time Michigan State had this much depth up front? It's been since the Mark Dantonio era, because the offensive line was a weakness under Mel Tucker.

With all of this hype surrounding the offensive line, I'm expecting the biggest improvement up front.