Courtney Hawkins speaks highly of Jonathan Smith's Michigan State football program

We are one week away from the official start of the Jonathan Smith era with Michigan State football and the excitement in East Lansing is palpable.

While Vegas, national college football experts, and even the local media aren't expecting much from the Spartans this season, those inside the football building feel differently. Michigan State enters a new era under Smith with excitement because of the culture change that has taken place.

Don't believe me? Just listen to what receivers coach Courtney Hawkins had to say.

Hawkins said that Smith has transformed the entire building and the players know they're loved at Michigan State because of his new culture.

If that doesn't conjure up some excitement within the fanbase, I don't know what will.

Hearing a coach who was around during the Mel Tucker era say that Smith has "transformed" the building and that players know they're loved now because of the culture speaks volumes. It shows that Smith is doing things right if he can get the team to buy in and the only coach from the previous staff to return sees the progress being made both on and off the field.

Michigan State will likely need a year or two before it can get back to contending for a Big Ten title, but with a culture change like this, it feels like that rebuilding time period won't be so painful.

It's good to see not only the players buying in to Smith and what he's selling but also the coaching staff, including a guy who was on the previous staff with Tucker.

Positive signs all around in East Lansing.