Michigan State football: Geno VanDeMark's return is huge for the new staff

Folks, the offensive line is starting to really take shape. After hearing for years that Michigan State football may finally have a strength in the offensive trenches, the new coaching staff is providing some excitement and hope for fans.

Not only have the Spartans brought back guys like Brandon Baldwin, Ethan Boyd, and Kristian Phillips from the transfer portal, but on Wednesday, they also returned Geno VanDeMark.

After starting at right guard last season, VanDeMark will be back with the new staff and it's great to see that Jim Michalczik will get one of the main components of the offensive line back. He's joining Boyd and Baldwin as guys who are projected starters heading into the season and Phillips, too, could find himself starting at guard in 2024.

This VanDeMark news really should conjure up some excitement in East Lansing. Not only do the Spartans have some strong young offensive linemen like Stanton Ramil, Cole Dellinger, and Rustin Young to work with next season, they also have one of the most experienced groups up front. While Chris Kapilovic never really seemed to figure things out with the group, it feels like this new staff is experienced when it comes to turning things around in the trenches.

Michigan State fans have been bombarded with good news for weeks ever since Jonathan Smith was hired and the fact that he can convince these guys to stay after getting interest from some of the biggest programs in the nation says a lot about the respect he commands.

The Smith era is off to a heck of a start, folks.