Wide receiver Tre Mosley runs through a drill at practice on Thursday.
Spring Update: Spartans Hold Fifth Practice on Thursday
3/24/2022 3:57:00 PM | Football
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EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football team held its fifth spring practice overall and second in full pads on Thursday morning inside the Duffy Daugherty Football Building.
Following practice, offensive coordinator/quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson, defensive line coach Marco Coleman, wide receiver Tre Mosley, defensive end Jeff Pietrowski and cornerback Ameer Speed met with the media to give an update on spring practice.
The spring game is scheduled for Saturday, April 16 at 2 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. Admission is free.
Offensive coordinator/Quarterbacks coach Jay Johnson
On last year…
Obviously, we did take a big step from the previous year. I feel that when we went back and watched things, I think we have to do everything a little bit better. We were balanced obviously, with Ken (Walker), and what he brought to the table; unbalanced doesn't really bother me because I need to win the game, but I think with everything that we're doing, we're trying to even become more, mesh things together a little better, looking at what can help us to do that.
I think one of the big emphases for me is to get Payton Thorne to even play at a higher level. He was really, really good last year. Very solid. But I still think, as he and I have reviewed things, and he and I have talked, the growth for him is really there still. And I think for us to take that next step, I need to see that growth from him.
It's really just blending everything together. We're still going to have to run the ball well, you're going to have to throw the ball well. We need to be better in situational ball. We were solid in the red zone, but we need to increase our touchdown production there, and we need to do better on third down, particularly on some of the more shorter distances, we need to get corrected and fixed. So that will be the focus as we move forward.
On Payton Thorne…
Payton is very cerebral. Coming from a football family, with his dad (Jeff) and that, he really has a great grasp of things. And sometimes, as he and I have talked before, sometimes he's almost too good mentally that it gets him in trouble. And so like even in spring ball, I'll say, 'hey, come on, just run the play,' because he knows so much, he takes so much in. I think you'll see improvements. Even this spring, I see things are kind of, in our quarterback world, a little slower for him, which is what I want. I want everything around it to be chaotic and fast, but for our world, it needs to be slower. I can just see the way he's handling the team, the way he leads the team, those things are coming. So I look for continued progressions in those things.
On having balance on offense with an experienced quarterback and wide receivers…
I think it's still a little early for me to tell that yet, because we're still going to base things starting with the run game. We need to do that. That's what our program is, the physicality that Coach Tuck wants, that relentless approach, that non-stop high velocity is what he's looking for. I think it still starts there. I think it comes with the brand of football, the physicality, it will still start there. But absolutely, you know have a more experienced quarterback (Payton Thorne), you have some receivers with J-Reed (Jayden Reed) coming back that obviously brings some things to the table, so yeah, I'm hoping that we can continue to evolve there and become even better.
On coming to Michigan State to join Coach Tucker's staff…
It was a good opportunity – where the program is, Coach Tucker, those were probably the motivating factors. And also, a little more responsibility. Coming from a defensive ends coach (at Georgia Tech), to now the whole defensive line, it's another step in the progression of my career.
On working with pass rush specialist Brandon Jordan…
Ultimately, the defensive line is going to be my responsibility, but Brandon's specialty in the pass rush really bodes well to bring a whole different element and take it to another level of focus. It makes it really good, because you normally have a coach, you have all those guys and trying to get stuff done, it creates an opportunity to kind of separate and get a little bit more attention. And it helps the players out, because of the focus and the development in that particular area.
On pass rush vs. stopping the run…
The game has changed. When I came into the league (as a player in 1992), you had a lot more running the ball…you had to stop the run, then pass. Now, especially for those young men who have aspirations to play at the next level, it's pass first, run second now. And so we're able to develop (that). Not saying we're deviating from playing the run, but we can't go after the quarterback, at least in college, unless we stop the run first. But the development of those guys, they do have an opportunity to go to that next level that will put them that much farther ahead and the ability to stay on a roster. And then when we do get into third and long, hopefully they've developed enough to where we're better at getting to the quarterback.
On heading into his fourth year with the program…
This year, it's really just taking a leadership role. We have a lot of young guys in the room, and guys that don't have that much playing experience, so just taking them under my wing and showing them the ropes. And also getting better myself. That's my goal this season.
On players buying into the culture…
Guys are definitely willing to learn, because they want to get on the field as fast as possible, so they're definitely open ears, coming to me, asking me questions, and I'm like, 'wow, that's a tough question, let me make sure I'm giving you the right answer before I give you anything,' because guys are eager to learn. So it's great to see that, especially from the younger guys, because everyone wants to play, and the best way to get on the field is to know what you're doing.
On Payton Thorne…
We've been close since the summer of 2019. That's the year Jayden (Reed) transferred in and me and Payton were freshmen. We've been close since then. It's been great, just off the field, spending time together, get away from football, just have some time to get to know each other better, and it's definitely going to go a long way, especially this season.
Just the confidence, as a leader. I knew (Payton) was a vocal player, coming in, you could tell by his energy. But as time went on, he felt more comfortable being vocal, you could definitely see guys around the team on both sides of the ball respect him and listen to him. Junior defensive end Jeff Pietrowski had 5.5 sacks, seven sacks and three forced fumbles in 2021. Defensive end Jeff Pietrowski
On his relationship with Coach Coleman…
It's been great so far with him. The short time we've had, he's made a big difference. I think I speak for all the guys, we like him a lot and it's been a great transition.
On gaining experience last year and starting three games…
It was a huge experience last year, not just those starts, but coming off the bench and playing a lot of ball was huge in my development. Getting better throughout the season, as you go back and look at the tape from last year, I progressed throughout the year. I learned a lot from those guys (Drew Beesley, Jacub Panasiuk, Drew Jordan). That's the key now – they're all gone, and we have to make up that experience. We gotta take what they gave us and make it a little bit better. We have a big task ahead of us.
On being one of the more experienced players now, heading into his third season…
(I've) got to step up as a leader, and in production. Those guys (seniors from last year) taught me a lot, especially (Jacub Panasiuk), he's a guy I still talk to a lot. He's still coaching me up. We still hear from those guys, and even guys that I never got to play with, they're always reaching out, we have a great alumni base, so they're still helping us, and we have to hold up the standard and take the next step. Ameer Speed transferred to Michigan State for his final season of eligibility after helping Georgia win the national championship last season. Graduate senior cornerback Ameer Speed
On what brought him to Michigan State from Georgia…
I think what brought me to Michigan State really was just the culture that I see Coach Tucker building. I already had a strong relationship with Coach Barnett from the past. And me and Coach Tucker had a good relationship while I was at Georgia, so honestly, I felt like it would be the perfect fit coming here.
On what he has seen so far at MSU compared to UGA…
Really, the consistency in the work ethic. And detail is everything. I feel like details are the main part of getting where you want to be and being where you want to be, because you have to do details into how you do things and when you do things. There's certain ways to go about things. So that's one of the main things that I enjoy and I like being here in this program because there's not too much of a difference.
On his familiarity with Michigan State…
I almost came here out of high school. Michigan State has always been…I've always keep a little eye here. And when Coach Tuck got here as well, since I had a relationship with him, I always just paid attention. When I knew what I wanted to do, I was watching other programs, seeing how things were, how they were playing, who needed what and how they needed them.
Honestly, it was an easy decision. I didn't have much time to just go to a whole bunch of schools and meet a bunch of people I didn't know, so I wanted to go somewhere where I felt comfortable and trust the people around me to make me the best player and person that I can be to get where I want to go.
