Four weeks into the Pat Fitzgerald era, some of the same problems are persisting. The Michigan State offense is stalling out too much, the defense is on the field way too long, and the transfer portal class has produced some gems but the rest of the group has been underwhelming.
It’s always tough when other teams go through coaching changes and immediately show improvement like an Indiana or more recently a UCLA or an Oklahoma State.
What’s made those programs successful early in new eras has been the transfer portal. The coaches at each of those programs know how to utilize the transfer portal and supplement roster talent. The talent gap between Indiana and the rest of college football went from Grand Canyon to sidewalk crack (essentially non-existent) in a year’s time and it ended up turning into a national title.
Michigan State fans want more of that. Unfortunately, the talent gap between Michigan State and the Big Ten’s top contenders remains fairly large, and the Nebraska game proved that.
Before the season, there was a Swiss army knife weapon on offense who was expected to be just what Nick Sheridan needed, but we haven’t heard much about Ferris State transfer Carson Gulker since the preseason. The first-year offensive coordinator hinted that may change soon.
Nick Sheridan: "We're looking to utilize the entire roster. He (Carson Gulker), alongside other guys, they keep getting better. We're looking to maximize the guys we have."
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) September 29, 2026
Finally hearing Sheridan talk about Gulker getting more involved is a positive development, especially when you consider the offense has hit a wall over the past two weeks. Any help that Alessio Milivojevic and Sheridan can get would go a long way, and Gulker looked like he’d be a real weapon when he committed in the winter.
The injury to Cam Edwards has no bearing on Gulker’s role, but the fact that Sheridan is praising him shows that he’s at least on the radar for more playing time.
The offense could use a do-it-all H-back type like what Connor Heyward was and Gulker feels like the perfect guy to fill that role. He just needs to work on his blocking if he wants to see the field.
No block, no rock.
Carson Gulker has been a mystery so far
Since committing to Michigan State and joining the team for offseason workouts and conditioning, Gulker had the makeup of a weapon at tight end. He’s more athletic than your typical tight end seeing as he also played quarterback at Ferris State, but his absence has been surprising.
The offense has utilized different packages with Cam Fancher under center, and I think that’s where Gulker could thrive. He could come out with Fancher and run some trickery when the offense needs a shot in the arm. Maybe a double pass could be implemented or just put the ball in his hands and see what he can do.
Jayden Savoury and Brennan Parachek have been solid thus far and Kai Rios has stepped in as that third tight end, but Gulker needs an opportunity. The offense could use some — any — help.
Gulker was brought to MSU to have an immediate impact. Let’s see how he fares.
Per Sheridan, that may happen soon.
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