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All of the Michigan State football players who made 2024 watch lists

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Jack Velling runs after a catch during the first day of football camp on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Jack Velling runs after a catch during the first day of football camp on Tuesday, July 30, 2024, in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK
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Watch list season is upon us and Michigan State football had a few guys named to these major award projections. There are 15 major awards, along with Comeback Player of the Year, and Michigan State had four guys named to these lists.

While that's not anything special, we do have to remember this is a rebuilding year for Jonathan Smith and Co. after Mel Tucker left the program in shambles.

So who are the preseason watch list honorees for Michigan State?

Ray Guy Award (Best punter): Ryan Eckley
Doak Walker Award (Best running back): Nate Carter
Mackey Award (Best tight end): Jack Velling
Comeback Player of the Year: Tyneil Hopper

As you can see, not many Spartans were named to preseason award watch lists which is just fine, but it felt like there were a few glaring omissions. Actually, there were more than just a few.

In my opinion, Jonathan Kim (Lou Groza Award), Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams (Doak Walker Award), Aidan Chiles (Davey O'Brien Award), Tanner Miller (Rimington Trophy), and any one of the Spartans' linebackers for the Dick Butkus Award should've probably made the cut.

Kim was one of the best kickers in the Big Ten last season, making four 50-plus-yarders, Lynch-Adams was a 1,000-yard rusher at Temple, Chiles was the No. 1 quarterback in the transfer portal, Miller was an All-Pac-12 selection at Oregon State in 2023, and Jordan Hall, Jordan Turner, and Wayne Matthews III are all All-Big Ten candidates.

I'm expecting Michigan State to be heavily present on next year's watch lists or even midseason award watch lists in 2024.

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