Spring Showcase Press Conference Coverage

Michigan State Head Coach Jonathan Smith

Introduction…
Well, that was fun. I want to start by thanking the fans for coming out. It was a great day. Starting in the morning with the Izzo Legacy Race, there was a lot of buzz around campus. Meeting some of the fans before the showcase, then it looked like football out there. Those guys have been working. We appreciate everyone coming out and enjoyed it.

On Aidan Chiles' and Tommy Schuster's performance today…
Aidan threw it accurately, moved his feet well. I think it helped getting a little bit of a run game going. I think on both sides of it we wanted to base package but not show too much. He looked comfortable and guys made some plays for him in the passing game which was great to see.

On the encouraging things he saw on the defensive side…
I thought they played really hard. Had some tackles in the backfield and had the interception. Really defensively, analyzing the game, penalties really hurt them on that on moving the ball. Over 15 practices I'm pleased of how this defense been coming along, the way they run to the ball, physical, they've had plenty of live tacking. They were holding their own against the offense.

On Nick Marsh and Montorie Foster and the rest of wide receiver play…
Both of those guys [Nick and Montorie] had a great spring throughout. I think Nick really came on the last half, I'll say. You can tell he's getting more and more comfortable in the system. Montorie, I feel comfortable to move him around a couple of positions. That gives us some answers to know what guys can play multiple positions, we know Montorie can be one of those guys.

On his thoughts on Nate Carter and Brandon Tullis…
We think Nate is explosive and fits well in the scheme. He has had a good camp, a lot of carries learning the scheme. He's effective in the pass game too, that was nice to see. Brandon, similar to Nick [Marsh] early on, getting his feet wet and had a lot flying at him; in the back half of it he got more and more comfortable. He's a physical back. All those guys had good carries. Really like the work we got done, but plenty more work to be done moving forward here.

On what areas made the biggest improvements through the spring season…
It's a tough question to really pinpoint. I think we got some things established in all three phases. Our growth defensively in communication from practice one through 15 is night and day. That's a huge part of it. That's an emphasis coach [Joe] Rossi been pushing. Tackling during the parts we did tackle throughout the spring was solid.

On the offensive line today…
I will say I probably thought it was their best day out of the 15. Protection was solid, it's not exactly the game right, the quarterback is not getting hit, so defensively and rushing the passer you're not quite going full go. It was a solid, solid day and we still got a ways to go on that front, but I like the progress they're making.

On where the defensive line group is as a whole…
I think that group was solid, the guys that were going during the spring. It was a solid group. We felt like we got guys who impact the game. Roster is always going to be fluid, particularly that position, so we will see how the dust settles in a week and a half. We are always going to be looking to add quality people to our roster, really at all positions.

On the enjoyable stages of building a team…
I will say you enjoy improvement and the process that it takes. So yeah, we got a long way to go and I enjoy it as a coach. These guys like football. They like being around, they like studying. As a coach, you kind of enjoy that part.

On the next steps with the team…
The next step is really this week. Every player is going to get with a position coach and have a one-on-one meeting to recap this spring and see where everything is at. After they finish that, I'm trying to get one-on-one with the roster over the next week and through the month with travel plans. I think this is important to go 15 practices and then sit down and recap to see where everyone is at, and where we can take the next steps.

Sophomore quarterback Aidan Chiles

On how today went and spring ball so far…
I think today was great, started off with signing autographs this morning, meeting some of the fanbase, being my first time in Spartan Stadium with fans, talking to them after the game, and signing more autographs, made me realize how much of a family this is. And then after playing throughout spring ball, we all came into a new system, I felt proud of us today.

On how he thought he played and next steps…
I thought overall, the way the offense played is how I played, so I think we did pretty good today, scoring, we beat the defense being down 14-0, so that's something that we have not done all spring, come together, play as a unit, we can do this on a higher level.

On progress from practice one to practice 15…
Again, just playing as a unit, we all are on the team, but who is really on the team is something we had to figure out. We can do this as a team and we all did it as a team. The offense put everything together, the defense put everything together, and we were just the better team today. This is a great team and I am super proud of what we did today.

On how it feels to be a starting quarterback…
It's different, really you do not even see it inside of (the) football (building), but just being that starting role has been a learning experience, it's been fun, a learning experience, and I'm grateful to be in this position, but everyone is watching you. Have to be on my P's and Q's and maintain my composure throughout the game, practice, everything because everyone is watching me.

Junior defensive back Dillon Tatum

On overall takeaways from spring practice…
I think offensive wise, there were explosive, they made a lot of plays. Defensively, we made a lot of plays through that front seven. We are still getting better as a group early in the year, but I think we have a great future ahead of us.

On getting used to the new coaching staff throughout spring ball…
Very, very fast. Getting used to new faces and learning names, plus we have to learn a new system. It went very well, and it's still going well because we're still learning as a team, coming together, and getting closer. I think today showed a lot of being able to move on to the next play, and keep playing as a team.

Redshirt junior running back Nate Carter

On his fit in the offense…
I just love how this offense allows me to explore more of my abilities. I'm more versatile of not only running the ball, but being effective in the passing game. The fact that Coach Smith brought an offense in here that's pro-style, that helps me to prove my game, which not only helps me but lets the team be stronger. I love the offense, I'm excited about it. We are going to make explosive plays, like you've seen today.

On the differences in mood around the program from last season…
It's great. I think from the moment spring ball started till now, the energy has been high. Guys are excited, guys are wanting to come into the building with a smile on their face. We're connecting more with the coaches on a personal level. Those guys want to get to know us as men, and helping us grow as men. I think that's what was missing last year, and it's important for this staff to help us grow not just as football players, but as men. You can see how we're all having fun when we are competing going out there, we're having fun, we love each other and we are going to continue this build.

Michigan State University Athletics

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Players Mentioned

Nate Carter

Aidan Chiles

Nick Marsh

Tommy Schuster

Dillon Tatum

Brandon Tullis

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