Jonathan Smith has some high praise for standout freshman TE

A freshman tight end was a major standout in the most recent scrimmage
2024 Big Ten Football Media Days
2024 Big Ten Football Media Days | Michael Hickey/GettyImages

Fall camp is underway and the Michigan State football team has finished its first scrimmage.

Jonathan Smith had a lot to say about the Spartans' progress and how it has translated onto the field.

One particular thing he mentioned was freshman tight end Jayden Savoury and how he was much further along than expected.

Savoury comes in to East Lansing as a uber athletic tight end with a basketball background. He posses a great frame at 6-foot-4, 230 pounds.

Tight end is a position with a big learning curve and doesn’t typically feature true freshman. Learning the types of routes that need to be run, blocking assignments, and having the physicality to execute all these makes it difficult for an 18-year-old to really succeed. 

So Smith going out of his way to give encouraging remarks about Savoury is huge. 

Looking back at Savoury’s high school tape, he makes plenty of concentration catches and is comfortable getting gritty as a blocker. His athletic ability is something Spartan fans should be excited about. 

With Jack Velling being a senior, someone is going to have to step up in the room next season. Savoury is off to a good start and could be that guy. Brian Wozniak will have plenty of options at the position after Velling with Michael Masunas standing out as well as Brennan Parachek looking like a contributor. Add Savoury to the mix and the unit shouldn't skip a beat in 2026.

Yet another positive development from a freshman during fall camp.