Projecting defensive starters for Michigan State football in 2024

Kicker: Jonathan Kim

Moving on to special teams now to close out the starters for Michigan State this fall, and it’s hard to not get excited about who Michigan State has returning this season.

Jonathan Kim is returning for his second season as the Spartans' kicker and it’s safe to say that he’s a weapon.

Kim was an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection in 2023, and for good reason. He was tied for third-most in the FBS in made field goals from 50 yards with four, and this includes the second-longest made field goal in the entire FBS last season at 58 yards.

Kim was also a perfect 17-for-17 on extra points and was 13-for-18 overall last year.

Having an elite kicker doesn’t get enough credit in football, especially a kicker who can hit a field goal from nearly 60 yards. I also expect a huge improvement from Kim this season because it is only his second season as a kicker. Before he came to Michigan State he was only a kickoff specialist at North Carolina, so kicking field goals at the college level was new for him last season.

But with this entire offseason under his belt, I expect Kim to improve on his numbers from last year and make an All-Big Ten team once again.