Linebacker Jordan Turner goes through drills during Tuesday's 13th spring practice.
Spartans Begin Final Week of Spring Practice
4/16/2024 5:49:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – On a beautiful spring day on the campus of Michigan State, the Spartan football team held its 13th practice of spring ball on Tuesday morning outside the Duffy Daugherty Football Building.
Following practice, first-year Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith met with the media to give an update on the Spartans.
MSU will close out spring practice with the Spring Showcase, presented by Michigan Achievement Scholarship, on Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith
Opening statement…
Well, practice 13 today. It was nice out there. The guys were flying around pretty good and I am looking forward to Saturday and trying to build towards that. We will go pretty light on Thursday. It should be a fun day on Saturday, starting with the Izzo Race and people participating in that, then we will go out on the field (for the Spring Showcase in Spartan Stadium) and do some stuff. I think the guys are looking forward to it.
On the format…
We are trying to get some scrimmaging done. We are not going to split up teams; a little bit of offense and defense. The clock is going to run and we are going to try to create a game-like atmosphere for most of it.
On where he thinks the team is right now…
I think we are progressing, I think we are working hard, but I think we have a ways to go. We are putting in new offense, defense, special teams. I do think our work ethic is there, but there is a lot to continue to iron out, which was anticipated. We got a big summer to do a lot of that, and then it's onto August camp.
On scrimmage two…
It was a good back and forth. Defensively, for the first half of it, we played pretty well. There were not a lot of balls getting completed and points scored. In the second half of it, offense did some things and ended up winning the thing in the red zone. So it was really good. A lot of snaps, and a lot of learning from that and opportunities for really everyone on the roster.
On having the reputation of being an open-door program for the staff and players…
I'll take it. I think it is true, the door is open. I'll credit these guys because they have been in these offices with these coaches a bunch getting a little extra film, checking in, anytime they're walking around, I love to catch up with them.
I think it's big (having that type of atmosphere). I think you want to have an open door to really find out how they are experiencing the program or checking in with them on life. Again, we are somewhat new here and we want to learn about these guys and the program. I've enjoyed it.
On the new head coach and coaches implementing the new ways…
Well, you have to lay the foundation, expectations, and standards of how we are doing things. Again, these guys have been working and have bought into it. I appreciate the staff in regard to alignment in messaging and what's important. The staff talks to them on a day-to-day way more than I do, so we are aligned on that.
On putting too much on film for a spring game…
I haven't thought of it deeply that way, but at the same time, I think it is fun. These guys have been working hard and I think they want to get into the stadium with the fans around and be able to play, so we are going to let them do that.
On where the roster stands and any guys being active in the transfer portal…
We will find out. The practices have been going good and the energy around. Those will be individual choices, but we are kind of locked in on finishing spring ball. I am not oblivious to the portal being open, but I think we have a good thing going that the guys want to be apart of.
On how the transfer portal has changed in the past five years…
Yeah, it is quite a bit different from five years ago. You just got to learn to navigate and it's different that way. Again, it's opportunities for these players and situations. I think the origination – I am not completely down on the portal – I think the origination of it was good, and finding new environments, environments change. Opportunities for guys to get a better start, a fresh start somewhere else, I think a lot of that is still good.
On the growth from scrimmage one and two…
Ball security stood out for sure. In the first scrimmage, the ball was on the ground way too much and the second one, not at all. So that was some good improvement.
On trying to start a new program in this era…
There is a lot going on there. Again, the portal is a way to add to your roster and we're going to try to take advantage of that as well as high school recruiting, as well as development, and walk-ons. And also developing the current roster that you got.
On a sense of how important Michigan State football is in the community and how much they want the team to succeed…
Yeah, I felt that really from the day I arrived. There is passion and people care about it deeply. They're excited about it and a lot of people talk about how they will be back, or they have had season tickets for decades. So I am anxious to get a little taste of that on Saturday.
On how many offensive linemen you feel comfortable putting out there in the rotation…
We are getting there. We got some health in there. We have some positions battles going on. So early to say right now how many guys we will play. I feel confident that we will get a good five guys out there.
On the most pleasant surprise through the first 13 practices…
First thing that comes to mind, I think our specialists, the way spring has gone. (Ryan) Eckley, I know I mentioned him earlier, but this guy has been great. Jonathan Kim was 100 percent in field goals last Saturday, so those two jump out.
On what position group who has shown the most improvement…
That is a good question. This d-line continues to create some havoc. I think we have some depth and players at inside linebacker. Cal (Haladay) has had a great camp; from one to 13 you can see that he is experienced but is learning the scheme with Wayne (Matthews), JT (Jordan Turner) and Jordan (Hall). That is a deep group at inside linebacker. I have been pleased with the progression of the receiver play. They are learning the new scheme and everything from one to 13. A couple plays made by (Antonio) Gates today, and Aidan (Chiles) is throwing it pretty well. Tommy (Schuster) has been locked in, I think he was been 9-of-10 (passing) during the scrimmage. So a long list there.
On looking forward to the public seeing his product and team for the first time…
I am excited about it. Really, for these guys, they are excited to run around and play in front of some people and kind of see what it looks like.
On the timing of building the quarterback…
This was important during the spring, having the coaches are out there constantly critiquing. But then it really gets tightened up during the summer. A lot of it will be on their own doing it, but we still have a few months to get timing, rhythm, and exactness in the pass game, to make sure in the summer that takes place. I am optimistic. There is some work that needs to get done and the tight ends are a part of that, not just the receivers.
Following practice, first-year Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith met with the media to give an update on the Spartans.
MSU will close out spring practice with the Spring Showcase, presented by Michigan Achievement Scholarship, on Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith
Opening statement…
Well, practice 13 today. It was nice out there. The guys were flying around pretty good and I am looking forward to Saturday and trying to build towards that. We will go pretty light on Thursday. It should be a fun day on Saturday, starting with the Izzo Race and people participating in that, then we will go out on the field (for the Spring Showcase in Spartan Stadium) and do some stuff. I think the guys are looking forward to it.
On the format…
We are trying to get some scrimmaging done. We are not going to split up teams; a little bit of offense and defense. The clock is going to run and we are going to try to create a game-like atmosphere for most of it.
On where he thinks the team is right now…
I think we are progressing, I think we are working hard, but I think we have a ways to go. We are putting in new offense, defense, special teams. I do think our work ethic is there, but there is a lot to continue to iron out, which was anticipated. We got a big summer to do a lot of that, and then it's onto August camp.
On scrimmage two…
It was a good back and forth. Defensively, for the first half of it, we played pretty well. There were not a lot of balls getting completed and points scored. In the second half of it, offense did some things and ended up winning the thing in the red zone. So it was really good. A lot of snaps, and a lot of learning from that and opportunities for really everyone on the roster.
On having the reputation of being an open-door program for the staff and players…
I'll take it. I think it is true, the door is open. I'll credit these guys because they have been in these offices with these coaches a bunch getting a little extra film, checking in, anytime they're walking around, I love to catch up with them.
I think it's big (having that type of atmosphere). I think you want to have an open door to really find out how they are experiencing the program or checking in with them on life. Again, we are somewhat new here and we want to learn about these guys and the program. I've enjoyed it.
On the new head coach and coaches implementing the new ways…
Well, you have to lay the foundation, expectations, and standards of how we are doing things. Again, these guys have been working and have bought into it. I appreciate the staff in regard to alignment in messaging and what's important. The staff talks to them on a day-to-day way more than I do, so we are aligned on that.
On putting too much on film for a spring game…
I haven't thought of it deeply that way, but at the same time, I think it is fun. These guys have been working hard and I think they want to get into the stadium with the fans around and be able to play, so we are going to let them do that.
On where the roster stands and any guys being active in the transfer portal…
We will find out. The practices have been going good and the energy around. Those will be individual choices, but we are kind of locked in on finishing spring ball. I am not oblivious to the portal being open, but I think we have a good thing going that the guys want to be apart of.
On how the transfer portal has changed in the past five years…
Yeah, it is quite a bit different from five years ago. You just got to learn to navigate and it's different that way. Again, it's opportunities for these players and situations. I think the origination – I am not completely down on the portal – I think the origination of it was good, and finding new environments, environments change. Opportunities for guys to get a better start, a fresh start somewhere else, I think a lot of that is still good.
On the growth from scrimmage one and two…
Ball security stood out for sure. In the first scrimmage, the ball was on the ground way too much and the second one, not at all. So that was some good improvement.
On trying to start a new program in this era…
There is a lot going on there. Again, the portal is a way to add to your roster and we're going to try to take advantage of that as well as high school recruiting, as well as development, and walk-ons. And also developing the current roster that you got.
On a sense of how important Michigan State football is in the community and how much they want the team to succeed…
Yeah, I felt that really from the day I arrived. There is passion and people care about it deeply. They're excited about it and a lot of people talk about how they will be back, or they have had season tickets for decades. So I am anxious to get a little taste of that on Saturday.
On how many offensive linemen you feel comfortable putting out there in the rotation…
We are getting there. We got some health in there. We have some positions battles going on. So early to say right now how many guys we will play. I feel confident that we will get a good five guys out there.
On the most pleasant surprise through the first 13 practices…
First thing that comes to mind, I think our specialists, the way spring has gone. (Ryan) Eckley, I know I mentioned him earlier, but this guy has been great. Jonathan Kim was 100 percent in field goals last Saturday, so those two jump out.
On what position group who has shown the most improvement…
That is a good question. This d-line continues to create some havoc. I think we have some depth and players at inside linebacker. Cal (Haladay) has had a great camp; from one to 13 you can see that he is experienced but is learning the scheme with Wayne (Matthews), JT (Jordan Turner) and Jordan (Hall). That is a deep group at inside linebacker. I have been pleased with the progression of the receiver play. They are learning the new scheme and everything from one to 13. A couple plays made by (Antonio) Gates today, and Aidan (Chiles) is throwing it pretty well. Tommy (Schuster) has been locked in, I think he was been 9-of-10 (passing) during the scrimmage. So a long list there.
On looking forward to the public seeing his product and team for the first time…
I am excited about it. Really, for these guys, they are excited to run around and play in front of some people and kind of see what it looks like.
On the timing of building the quarterback…
This was important during the spring, having the coaches are out there constantly critiquing. But then it really gets tightened up during the summer. A lot of it will be on their own doing it, but we still have a few months to get timing, rhythm, and exactness in the pass game, to make sure in the summer that takes place. I am optimistic. There is some work that needs to get done and the tight ends are a part of that, not just the receivers.
Players Mentioned
K
/ Football
LB
/ FootballJonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Nov. 10 2025
Monday, November 10
Jonathan Smith Postgame Comments | Minnesota
Saturday, November 01
Jonathan Smith | Football Press Conference | Oct. 27 2025
Monday, October 27
Jonathan Smith Post Game Comments | MICH | Oct. 25 2025
Sunday, October 26