Spring Preview Position Breakdown: Offense

Keon Coleman had 58 receptions for 798 yards and seven touchdowns in his first full season as a starting wide receiver in 2022.

3/14/2023 1:31:00 PM | Football

Spring Media Guide Spring Roster (PDF)Position Breakdown: Defense and Special Teams

With spring practice beginning this week for the Michigan State football team, msuspartans.com takes a look at the position breakdown on offense for the Spartans.

►QUARTERBACKS CAPSULE
Players returning (5):
• #38 Christian Banks (R-Fr., 6-1, 210, Orlando, Fla./Olympia)
*redshirted as a running back during the 2022 season

• #12 Katin Houser (R-Fr., 6-3, 195, Anaheim, Calif./St. John Bosco)
(1 game, 1-of-2 passing (.500), 2 yards)

• #14 Noah Kim (1L, R-Jr., 6-2, 185, Centreville, Va./Wesfield)
(4 games, 14-of-19 passing (.737), 174 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INTs)

• #18 Andrew Schorfhaar (R-Jr., 6-2, 195, DeWitt, Mich./DeWitt)

• #10 Payton Thorne (3L, R-Sr., 6-2, 210, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central)
(12 games/12 starts, 242-of-387 passing (.625), 2,679 yards, 19 TDs, 11 INTs, 42 rushing yards, 1 rushing TD)

Incoming freshman for fall (1):
• Sam Leavitt (Fr., 6-2, 200, West Linn, Ore., West Linn)

Letterwinners lost: 0

Outlook: Fifth-year senior quarterback Payton Thorne, who has started 26 consecutive games for the Spartans, ranks among Michigan State's career leaders in passing touchowns (fourth with 49), completion percentage (fifth at .609), passing yards (sixth with 6,494), pass completions (sixth with 524), pass attempts (sixth with 860) and passing efficiency (eighth with 137.6 rating). The three-year letterwinner has 49 career TD passes on 524-of-860 (.609) passing for 6,494 yards in 29 career games (223.9 ypg), including 26 career starts (16-10 record). Thorne set an MSU single-season record with 27 touchdown passes during MSU's 11-2 season in 2021.

**Payton Thorne ranks fourth all-time at Michigan State with 49 career touchdown passes.**

Last season, Thorne started all 12 games and was named a team captain for the second consecutive season. He ranked fourth in the Big Ten in pass completions (242) and pass attempts (387), fifth in touchdown passes (19) and sixth in passing yards (2,679; 223.3 ypg).

In four games of action off the bench, Noah Kim was very efficient, completing 74 percent of his passes (14-of-19) for 174 yards and three touchdowns. During two Big Ten games, he was 6-of-7 passing for 70 yards including a 27-yard touchdown against Minnesota, and was 6-of-10 for 82 yards and a 25-yard TD vs. Ohio State.

Highly touted four-star quarterback Katin Houser redshirted in 2022; he made his lone appearance of the season in Week 2 in his collegiate debut vs. Akron.

Andrew Schorfhaar and converted running back Christian Banks will add depth to the position in spring practice for the Spartans.

The Spartans signed Sam Leavitt, the Oregon Gatorade Player of the Year, to a National Letter of Intent in December.

Offensive coordinator Jay Johnson is in his fourth year as the quarterbacks coach for the Spartans.

Jalen Berger vs Indiana — **Jalen Berger led Michigan State in rushing last season with 683 yards and six touchdowns on 148 carries.**

►RUNNING BACKS CAPSULE
Players returning (5):
• #8 Jalen Berger (1L, R-Jr., 6-1, 215, Newark, N.J., Wisconsin)
(12 games/11 starts, 148 carries, 683 yards, 4.6 avg., 6 TDs)

• #25 Joseph Martinez (R-Jr., 5-9, 200, Holt, Mich./Holt) * spent first three seasons at wide receiver

• #32 David Milliken (R-Fr., 5-11, 205, Grayling, Mich./Grayling)

• #24 Davion Primm (R-So., 6-0, 205, Detroit, Mich., Oak Park)

• #22 Jordon Simmons (3L, Sr., 5-11, 195, Marietta, Ga./McEachern)
(12 games, 4 carries, 9 yards, 2.3 avg.)

Incoming transfers (2):
• #5 Nathan Carter (R-So., 5-10, 190, Rochester, N.Y./Connecticut)
(4 games, 65 carries, 405 yards, 6.2 avg., 1 TD) % ^

• #1 Jaren Mangham (Gr.-5, 6-2, 230, Detroit, Mich./USF)
(4 games, 24 carries, 104 yards, 4.3 avg., 3 TDs) * ^

Incoming freshman (1):
• Jaelon Barbarin (Fr., 5-8, 190, Simi Valley, Calif./Chaminade)

Letterwinners lost (2):
• Jarek Broussard (1L, 12 games, 63 carries, 298 yards, 4.7 avg., 3 TDs)
• Elijah Collins (4L, 12 games, 70 carries, 318 yards, 4.5 avg., 6 TDs)

% at UConn in 2022 | * at USF in 2022 | ^ Enrolled in January 2023

Outlook: The Spartans are returning leading rusher Jalen Berger (R-Jr.), who posted career highs in rushing yards (683), carries (148) and rushing TDs (6) while starting 11 of 12 games last season after transferring from Wisconsin. Berger rushed for more than 100 yards in his first two games wearing the Green and White (career-high 120 vs. Western Michigan; 107 vs. Akron) and also had a Big Ten-best 119 yards vs. Indiana; in addition, he caught 19 passes out of the backfield for 128 yards.

Davion Primm (R-So.) and Jordon Simmons (Sr.) are also returning and will be looking to compete for carries during spring practice.

The Spartans are also welcoming in two transfers, Nathan Carter (UConn) and Jaren Mangham (USF), who both joined the team in January.

Carter still has three seasons of eligibility remaining after playing in only four games last season for the Huskies before suffering a season-ending injury. He rushed for 983 yards on 190 carries with three TDs in two seasons (2021-22) at UConn, including a team-leading 578 yards as a freshman in 2021.

Mangham, brother of current Spartan sophomore defensive back Jaden Mangham, played two years at Colorado (2019-20) and two at USF (2021-22) prior to arriving in East Lansing as a graduate transfer. He has collected 1,251 rushing yards and 23 rushing touchdowns in 32 collegiate games (16 at Colorado; 16 at USF). Mangham had a career-high 671 yards and 15 rushing TDs as a junior at USF in 2021 to lead the Bulls.

Converted wide receiver Joseph Martinez (R-Jr.) and David Millikin (R-Fr.) add depth to the position room for the Spartans.

Effrem Reed is in his second season as the running backs coach for MSU.

Tre Mosley vs Minnesota — **Tre Mosley caught 35 passes for 359 yards and a career-high four touchdowns last season.**

►WIDE RECEIVERS CAPSULE
Players returning (14):
• #13 Sebastian Brown (R-Jr., 6-3, 196, Detroit, Mich./Cass Tech)

• #0 Keon Coleman (Jr., 6-4, 215, Opelousas, La./ Opelousas Catholic)
(12 games/12 starts, 58 catches, 798 yards, 13.8 avg., 7 TDs)

• #86 Aubrey Dawkins (R-Jr., 5-10, 185, Verona, Wis./Verona)

• #16 Christian Fitzpatrick (2L, R-Jr., 6-4, 218, Southfield, Mich./Louisville)
(5 games, 2 catches, 17 yards)

• #83 Montorie Foster Jr. (2L, Sr., 6-0, 185, Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edward)
(10 games, 7 catches, 98 yards, 1 TD)

• #7 Antonio Gates Jr. (R-Fr., 6-2, 190, Detroit, Mich./Fordson)

• #80 Zach Gillespie (R-Jr., 6-2, 205, East Lansing, Mich./Lansing Catholic)

• #15 Jaron Glover (R-Fr., 6-1, 205, Sarasota, Fla./Riverview, 1 game)

• #2 Tyrell Henry (So., 6-0, 175, Roseville, Mich./Roseville, 11 games)

• #42 Nick Hunter (R-Sr., 5-10, 190, Grayling, Mich./Grayling)

• #85 Cade McDonald (3L, R-Sr., 5-11, 195, Naperville, Ill./Naperville Central, 11 games)

• #17 Tre Mosley (3L, Gr.-5, 6-2, 198, Pontiac, Mich./West Bloomfield)
(12 games/8 starts, 35 catches, 359 yards, 4 TDs)

• #84 Tyler Vroman (R-Fr., 6-3, 185, Rockford, Mich./Rockford)

• #89 Alex Watters (R-Fr., 6-0, 185, East Lansing, Mich./Lansing Catholic)

Incoming freshmen for fall 2023 (2):
• Aziah Johnson (Fr., 6-0, 175, Richmond, Va./Thomas Jefferson)
• Jaelon Smith (Fr., 6-0, 190, Houston, Texas/Klein Cain)

Letterwinners lost (2):
• Germie Bernard (1L, 12 games, 7 catches, 128 yards, 2 TDs)
• Jayden Reed (3L, 12 games/12 starts, 55 catches, 636 yards, 11.6 avg., 5 TDs)

Outlook: Although Jayden Reed is preparing for the upcoming NFL Draft, the Spartans still return two of their three starters at wide receiver as junior Keon Coleman and fifth-year graduate senior Tre Mosley will lead the position room in 2023.

A third-team All-Big Ten selection by the media, Coleman had a breakout sophomore season in 2022, ranking among the Big Ten leaders in receptions (eighth with 58; 4.8 pg), receiving yards (sixth with 798; 66.5 ypg) and TD catches (sixth with seven). A consistent big-play threat, Coleman tied for second in the Big Ten and 16th in the FBS with 12 receptions caught downfield for 20-plus yards, according to Pro Football Focus.

Mosley has 98 career catches for 1,176 yards in 36 games, including 21 starting assignments over the past four seasons. He matched his career high with 35 receptions last season for 359 yards and had a career-best four touchdown catches.

Senior Montorie Foster Jr. also has starting experience and will look to increase his production after battling an injury last season. A three-year letterwinner, Foster has played in 30 career games and has 19 receptions for 262 yards. Redshirt senior Cade McDonald also has earned three letters and brings experience to the receiving corps.

Two-year letterwinner Christian Fitzpatrick (R-Jr.), who missed the final seven games of the season due to an injury, is back for the Spartans and will look to regain his footing in spring practice.

Sophomore Tyrell Henry, who earned a letter as a true freshman returning kicks in 2022, will look to have an expanded role in the offense this spring, along with redshirt freshmen Antonio Gates Jr. and Jaron Glover.

Redshirt senior Nick Hunter, redshirt juniors Sebastian Brown, Aubrey Dawkins, and Zach Gillespie, and redshirt freshmen Tyler Vroman and Alex Watters will also compete for reps during spring practice.

The Spartans signed two receivers to National Letters of Intent in December: Aziah Johnson and Jaelon Smith.

Courtney Hawkins is in his fourth year on the offensive staff as the wide receivers coach.

Maliq Carr at Illinois — **Tight end Maliq Carr hauled in 16 passes for 209 yards and two TDs for the Spartans in 2022.**

►TIGHT ENDS CAPSULE
Players returning (6):
• #6 Maliq Carr (2L, R-Jr., 6-5, 255, Inkster, Mich./Purdue)
(12 games/1 start, 16 catches, 209 yards, 2 TDs)

• #28 Hamp Fay (R-So., 6-5, 245, Hudson Oaks, Texas/All Saints Episcopal)

• #81 Michael Masunas (R-Fr., 6-4, 250, Tucson, Ariz./Hamilton)

• #92 Evan Morris (2L, R-Jr., 6-5, 245, Elsie, Mich./Ovid-Elsie, 11 games)

• #47 Jackson Morse (R-Sr., 6-3, 240, East Lansing, Mich./Davenport)

• #87 Jack Nickel (R-Fr., 6-4, 245, Milton, Ga./Milton)

Incoming transfers (3):
• #88 Ademola Faleye (Jr., 6-7, 235, Brockton, Mass./Norfolk State) ^ %
(11 games, 4 catches, 55 yards, 1 TD)

• #19 Jaylan Franklin (Gr.-6, 6-5, 240, Brownstown Township, Mich./Wisconsin) ^ *
(11 games, 2 catches, 40 yards)

• #23 Tyneil Hopper (Gr.-6, 6-3, 240, Roswell, Ga./Boise State) ^ &
(13 games/6 starts, 13 catches, 108 yards)

Incoming freshmen for fall 2023 (1):
• #82 Brennan Parachek (Fr., 6-5, 235, Dexter, Mich./Dexter) ^

Letterwinners lost (3):
• Daniel Barker (1L, 12 games/6 starts, 21 catches, 239 yards, 2 TDs)
• Tyler Hunt (5L, 11 games/10 starts, 15 catches, 98 yards)
• Powers Warren (2L, 3 games)

^ Enrolled in January 2023 | % at Norfolk State in 2022 | * at Wisconsin in 2022 | & at Boise State in 2022

Outlook: Michigan State has a full tight end room under fourth-year coach Ted Gilmore with 10 players at the position heading into spring practice, including redshirt junior Maliq Carr, who is looking to have a breakout season in 2023 after showing his potential the past two seasons. Carr ranked second among the Spartan tight ends last season with career highs in receptions (16) and receiving yards (206) to go along with two touchdowns.

MSU also brought in three transfers at tight end in January who will compete for playing time during spring practice: Ademola Faleye (Jr., Norfolk State), Jaylan Franklin (Gr.-6, Wisconsin) and Tyneil Hopper (Gr.-6, Boise State).

In addition, five players return from last year's team at tight end: converted quarterback Hamp Fay (R-So.), Michael Masunas (R-Fr.), Evan Morris (R-Jr.), Jackson Morse (R-Sr.) and Jack Nickel (R-Fr.).

The Spartans signed one tight end, Brennan Parachek, to a National Letter of Intent in the Class of 2023 and he enrolled in January.

**J.D. Duplain has started 30 consecutive games at left guard for the Spartans.**

►OFFENSIVE LINE CAPSULE
Players returning (16):
• #53 Brandon Baldwin (1L, R-Jr., 6-7, 315, Detroit, Mich./Independence CC, 9 games/5 starts at LT)
• #77 Ethan Boyd (1L, R-So., 6-7, 325, East Lansing, Mich./East Lansing, 10 games)
• #68 Gavin Broscious (R-Fr., 6-4, 315, Surprise, Ariz./Desert Edge)
• #58 Spencer Brown (2L, Gr.-5, 6-6, 315, Commerce Twp., Mich./Walled Lake Western, 12 games/12 starts at RT)
• #57 Evan Brunning (1L, 6-5, 300, Oxford, Mich./Oxford, 11 games)
• #67 J.D. Duplain (4L, Sr.-5, 6-4, 300, Strongsville, Ohio/Strongsville, 12 games/12 starts at LG)
• #72 Dallas Fincher (1L, R-Jr., 6-4, 300, Kentwood, Mich./East Kentwood, 11 games)
• #76 Andy Hartman (R-Fr., 6-6, 265, Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc)
• #66 Ashton Lepo (R-Fr., 6-7, 310, Grand Haven, Mich./Grand Haven)
• #69 Jacob Merritt (R-Fr., 6-6, 270, Northville, Mich./Northville)
• #64 Braden Miller (R-Fr., 6-6, 297, Aurora, Colo./Eaglecrest)
• #75 Ben Nelson (R-Fr., 6-7, 305, Holland, Mich./Holland Christian)
• #71 Kristian Phillips (R-Fr., 6-4, 347, Conyers, Ga./Salem)
• #59 Nick Samac (4L, Gr.-5, 6-4, 300, Mentor, Ohio/Mentor, 12 games/12 starts at C)
• #74 Geno VanDeMark (1L, R-So., 6-5, 325, Lodi, N.J./St. Joseph, 10 games/2 starts at RG)
• #70 Kevin Wigenton (1L, R-So., 6-5, 315, Colts Neck, N.J./The Hun School, 4 games)

Incoming transfers (1):
• #54 Keyshawn Blackstock (Jr., 6-5, 315, Covington, Ga./Coffeyville CC)

Incoming freshmen for fall 2023 (2):
• #56 Cole Dellinger (6-4, 290, Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston) ^
• #65 Stanton Ramil (Fr., 6-7, 310, Alabaster, Ala./Thompson) ^

Letterwinners lost (3):
• Matt Carrick (5L, 9 games/9 starts at RG)
• Brian Greene (1L, 10 games/1 start at RG)
• Jarrett Horst (2L, 8 games/7 starts at LT)

^ Enrolled in January 2023

Outlook: Michigan State returns five players with starting experience on the offensive line, led by multi-year fifth-year senior starters J.D. Duplain and Nick Samac, who are both using their extra year of eligibility in 2023.

Duplain has been an anchor at left guard for the Spartans, starting 30 consecutive games at the position, and the four-year letterwinner has a started a total of 35 games in his career while playing in 42 overall. He has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades the past two seasons and returns for another year as a leader on the offensive line in 2023.

Samac started all 12 games at center last fall and has 22 starts overall in his career while playing in a total 38 games the past four seasons. He played a career-high 803 snaps in 2022, most on the Spartan offense, and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media.

Graduate fifth-year senior Spencer Brown also started all 12 games last season at right tackle and has a streak of 13 consecutive starts at the position heading into the fall.

Redshirt junior Brandon Baldwin took over the starting role at left tackle the final five games of the 2022 season and gained valuable experience while playing a total of 405 offensive snaps. It was Baldwin's first season playing at the FBS level after redshirting in 2021 following two years at Independence Community College.

Redshirt sophomore Geno VanDeMark earned starting assignments at right guard the last two games of the season and will look to have an increased role on the offensive line heading into his third season in East Lansing. Redshirt sophomores Ethan Boyd and Kevin Wigenton also earned their first letters as Spartans last year.

MSU also brings back seven redshirt freshmen to the offensive line this spring: Gavin Broscious, Andy Hartman, Ashton Lepo, Jacob Merritt, Braden Miller, Ben Nelson and Kristian Phillips.

Keyshawn Blackstock, who was ranked the top junior college interior offensive lineman in the nation, arrived to campus in January along with highly touted incoming freshmen Cole Dellinger and Stanton Ramil.

Assistant head coach Chris Kapilovic is in his fourth season as MSU's offensive line coach and run game coordinator.