Nick Marsh could be legitimate WR1 option for Michigan State football in 2024

It's been an interesting offseason for Michigan State football's receiving corps so far. The Spartans added a transfer from Purdue -- TJ Sheffield -- but he didn't even make it past spring ball before hitting the portal again and reopening his recruitment.

Over the past few years, the Spartans have lost key targets like Jalen Nailor, Jayden Reed, Keon Coleman, and most recently Tre Mosley. That has left the receiving corps depleted.

On top of that, Tyrell Henry transferred to Wisconsin after a semi-promising freshman season but I'm not sure he showed enough outside of a one-handed touchdown catch to really say that was a "big" loss for the Spartans. Jaron Glover and Antonio Gates Jr., too, both entered the transfer portal but luckily for Michigan State and Jonathan Smith, both opted to return.

Courtney Hawkins does have some talent in his receiving corps, but there's no true No. 1 target.

Enter, Nick Marsh.

After a strong spring, including the Spring Showcase where he finished with over 100 receiving yards, Marsh looks like a budding star. He'll likely be considered a "backup" to start the season, but it won't take long before he cracks the starting rotation and takes over as one of Aidan Chiles' top targets.

I like what MSU has in Glover, Gates Jr., and Montorie Foster Jr., but there's no true alpha receiver that has stood out in that group. Glover could be, Gates Jr. still needs to show it, and Foster looks like a guy who could be a surprise 500-700-yard receiver and really exceed expectations as a reliable veteran. Marsh, though, has that true WR1 feel.

Unless Smith adds a receiver from the transfer portal who could compete for a starting job, Marsh is going to be my pick to be the team's WR1 this season.

And I don't even think that's too spicy of a take.

We're about to see the best receiver since Jayden Reed take the field for the green and white.