3 most concerning position groups for Michigan State football after spring 2024

Michigan State's Khris Bogle, right, closes in on Akron's Cam Wiley during the fourth quarter on
Michigan State's Khris Bogle, right, closes in on Akron's Cam Wiley during the fourth quarter on / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA
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With spring ball now in the books, Michigan State football fans can now look forward to fall camp and the start of the official Jonathan Smith era in the fall.

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about the 2024 season, led by transfer quarterback Aidan Chiles and a coaching staff that has proven it can develop players. The Mel Tucker era was all about aiming for the stars and hoping they panned out with minimal development for four years.

Although the development should improve drastically, there are some position groups that are less than ideal heading into the 2024 season, mostly due to the transfer portal.

Which position groups are the most concerning?

3. Receivers

Do I think the receiving corps is solid at the top? Absolutely. We found out this spring what we already knew: Nick Marsh is going to be a star in East Lansing. Plus, Courtney Hawkins can develop any receiver into a threat and a legitimate NFL pass-catcher (he was the exception on the former staff).

But the depth is just not there.

When you lose guys like Jalen Nailor, Jayden Reed, Keon Coleman, and Germie Bernard over the past few seasons from the receiving corps, you're going to have a tough time replacing them because, well, the old staff didn't recruit the position as well as it should have at the end.

Marsh, Montorie Foster Jr., Jaron Glover, Alante Brown, Aziah Johnson, and Antonio Gates Jr. should be solid weapons for Aidan Chiles, but beyond them, there's no experience.

Michigan State is targeting Arizona State's Elijhah Badger as well as Auburn's Ja'Varrius Johnson in the transfer portal so they could still address the need for more depth here, but as it stands as of May 8, this position group has a concerning lack of pieces.