Jonathan Smith Gives Update on Spartans Midway Through Spring Practice
4/3/2025 5:43:00 PM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football team held its eighth spring practice on Thursday morning. Following practice, second-year head coach Jonathan Smith gave an update on the Spartans.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith
Opening statement…
We're just getting to our halfway point. First time Coach Izzo popped out at practice (this spring), great to see him, and congratulate him on the year. Like I said, we finished practice eight and feel good with what the first eight of practices have looked like. It's not perfect, but a lot of guys are getting reps. You can see steady improvement. The install is getting to the point where it's about peaked; we're not going to double up the second half of the spring. They will get more reps of the same stuff at the back half of spring and looking for that steady improvement. I think the energy and enthusiasm for eight days has been there. I kind of like a lot of what I have seen so far.
On how much install you do in the spring with another transfer portal period opening soon…
It's not a huge consideration in my mind. We are invested in these guys; we are not going to hold things until late by chance we lose a guy or two. We understand the landscape and guys can have opportunities here for us, the last two weeks of April. But we feel pretty good in regard to what we are putting in and what we're doing. We want to get better at those schemes, so we want reps at it in April so we can digest it through the summer and then August.
On if the offense is ahead of where it was last year at this point…
Yeah, I think we are ahead. We do have a majority of guys going into year two. Some of the guys that we have added came in here in January and dove right into it. Now they're getting some reps, but I think the competition at the receiver position is healthy and we've got some additions there that have shown they can help us. With the offensive line competition, we are healthier there, I think we are stronger there, and we've got more competition at the o-line.
On if the team is scrimmaging this Saturday…
Yeah, that's the plan right now. We want to kind of just let them play. So, put the ball down and have to operate. Try to move and get stops, those kind of things. We might sprinkle in a situation or two, especially if it doesn't arise, whether we're talking red zone or two-minute. Two-minute went in for the first time today. They'll want to get some special teams work and so we'll, I don't know if we'll do all four phases on Saturday, but we're definitely going punt it and punt return. Yeah, it'll really be our second opportunity for them to tackle and then carry the ball while you're getting tackled. That's a really important piece.
On the leadership Aidan Chiles showed last season, and what do you need from him in that regard…
Continued growth. Being on his game to start. Understanding that he needs help around him, but he needs to start with himself, which he's done. I think that room is really healthy. Alessio (Milivojevic) had another nice day today. I think the addition of Coach (Jon) Boyer, in regards to having a second voice with Coach Lindgren with the offense has helped. Aidan specifically, but it's more that group and that side of the ball.
On the next steps for Nick Marsh and his development…
He has some detail to continue to clean up whether it's his alignment, his stems, his separation. Overly talented, good, good player. I think he's always working to tighten up his details.
On the other receivers stepping up and helping Nick Marsh out…
Specific to Nick, the receiver position, Omari Kelly has had a good eight days. I mean another couple of nice days today; he could be on the opposite side and where Nick's going to see some double team, you need to have another threat on the other side of it. Rodney Bullard, a little bit of ding, hasn't been full all eight days but he's done some good stuff. Evan Boyd has come over here (from Central Michigan), and he was running with the two's today. He's made consistent plays and knows where he's going. Those are a couple highlights.
On Omari Kelly and his strengths…
He's playing the ball in the air. He's had a couple contested catches, especially in the red zone. He's been able to separate on a couple double moves, and you need some skill set over there to separate a contested ball because we think he'll be able to see a decent amount of one-on-one match ups.
On the different types of wide receivers on the team…
In regards to size, speed, quickness, and maybe a little bit of length, you want to be able to blend that. Obviously, ask them to also be physical, whatever the physical attributes are. Yeah, we've got some of that.
On getting players from the transfer portal at all different levels of college football…
I mean it's a piece as you evaluate who the competition is, same as at the high school level. We did want to make a premium of 'had it on tape.' So snaps, starts, at a previous place, and add some stats. The majority of the guys that we were able to get do have experience in college football and playing it, and that's what we are counting on.
On the run game right now…
Solid. It's early, and we're playing some solid defense. We've got some depth up front, and the linebackers are playing, so it's a little hit and miss, but we have some good reps in there. I think it's important to live tackle for the running back position, and to be able to evaluate that. So that will be an emphasis on Saturday to see exactly where this run game is at.
On early impressions of Elijah Tau-Tolliver…
(He's) had a couple of nice runs. We were able to do a portion of live tackling (last Saturday), and he ripped off a long run. He's still learning it, you can tell when he knows exactly what he's doing, he can change gears and plays at a high level. We just have to get him to that point where he's really confident in his scheme.
On Tau-Tolliver's pass-catching ability…
Yeah, we want to be able to throw it to the back. We want to be able to throw it to everyone, but if the guy is a great ball carrier, he can block some people, and pass protect, you get that third element, and he can catch it out of the back field. Third down, red zone, it's huge.
On the competition at kicker…
We actually got a rep today in the two minute, which is actually a live kind of field goal. Those guys (Tarik Ahmetbasic and Martin Connington) have been competing, we're charting it, and I can see that thing playing out until August.
On Jon Boyer, and when he first met Coach Boyer…
It was after our first year at Oregon State. Our quality control coach got another job, and we were looking, actually Lindgren and him knew of each other. I had been in the Big Sky as a coordinator before Jon, but Jon had been coordinating there in the Big Sky for a long time, so I knew he knew some ball. He was with us there (Oregon State) for five years and obviously did a great job.
On having the additional assistant coaches on the field this year…
It does (help), and the handcuffs are off, and now every position gets more. Multiple eyes, multiple hands-on, the meetings, the contribution, it's great. I think it's great for the profession, in regard to developing more and more coaches. I think it's really healthy that there aren't any handcuffs on anybody out there.
Is that something that, when you go to the coaches meeting, you guys talk about? Like retention of coaches and exploring that?
Yeah, retaining but even developing so that these guys can get other opportunities because they have actual experience, they've run a meeting room now, they've run drills, and we've got a lot of that with our assistant position coaches. There are times where they're taking over the group and running the meeting or the drill.
On any impressions with the new faces on the offensive line…
Conner's (Moore) done a nice job; he's been able to hold his own in a big way. Stanton's (Ramil) is really doing a nice job, I know he's not a newcomer. Luka (Vincic) has a little bit of advantage, he had a good idea on the scheme, has brought a voice to that room which has been really nice. So, Luka and Connor kind of stand out newcomer wise.
On Stanton Ramil trying the right side of the line…
Pretty much at left. He's pretty comfortable, he's playing at a high level there. We're not moving there yet.
On the new center situation...
Matt's (Gulbin) done well. Center, it's a little bit more, making all the calls and all that. We are pleased with where he is headed.
On the tight end position…
Health is a big part. With (Brennan) Parachek not getting a ton (of reps this spring), I'm counting on him this summer to be full go. Mike (Masunas) and Jack (Velling) – Jack had a touchdown pass today. Those two guys are experienced, and you throw in Parachek, those three guys we feel like we can do a lot on offense with that.
On Luka Vincic's voice in the room…
Maybe a little rare on just being a newcomer and new to the group that's pseudo-established, a lot of guys are back. And some of it is because of the way he comes across. He's not about himself. He's just trying to energize others, he's complimenting others, and bringing them along. He's been great.
On the nickelback position…
It's up in the air. Ade (Willie) is getting some reps over there, DT's (Dillon Tatum) getting some reps over there, and then you know, (Coaches) James (Adams), Blue (Adams), those guys, we've got a lot of rotation going on in the secondary, so it's not locked in on a single guy, which we don't want it to be.
On the return of Dillon Tatum this spring…
Yeah, physically he's been moving. No hit limitations, and he is an athletic safety, nickel, is a physical player, and I am excited to see him live tackle on Saturday.
On the pass rush...
Yeah, it's coming along. JT's (Jalen Thompson) been around it. We're getting a decent amount of interior in these games, giving us problems on the offensive side, so that's been nice to see.
On the new assistant coaches…
I like the James Adams addition. His experience, I think he's connected well with that group already. Him and Blue go hand in hand. Obviously, (Joe) Rossi is overseeing it, but I've liked it, and Rossi has verbalized to me the addition of just watching James operate. I feel good there. We've talked about Boyer, and he's comfortable with that offensive staff, the scheme, and he's got a relationship with Aidan, so that stage was kind of set for him.
On enjoying football this spring…
I am, yeah. It's nice to get back into it. I love being in all the meetings, watching our coaches coach, seeing our players interact. I like seeing a play going into the meeting in the morning and then it gets executed on the field. I like the way we're practicing in regards like we're competing, but we're competing with each other not against each other, and for eight days these guys have been working together to do that. Iron sharpens iron.
On what the team got accomplished today in practice…
We did some kind of inside run in regard to the team (periods). Individual to start, always about that, and then we got into team drill, and one on one receiver/DB. We did the two-minute. We finished with a mixed down, so first, second, and third down. We did a spotlight, so five minutes and just highlighted a couple one-on-one matchups, and the guys always enjoy that. The whole team is watching. We pressured the kickers, so the whole team is watching for a couple of kicks. Special teams work was emphasized on punt return. But, yeah, I liked it.
Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith
Opening statement…
We're just getting to our halfway point. First time Coach Izzo popped out at practice (this spring), great to see him, and congratulate him on the year. Like I said, we finished practice eight and feel good with what the first eight of practices have looked like. It's not perfect, but a lot of guys are getting reps. You can see steady improvement. The install is getting to the point where it's about peaked; we're not going to double up the second half of the spring. They will get more reps of the same stuff at the back half of spring and looking for that steady improvement. I think the energy and enthusiasm for eight days has been there. I kind of like a lot of what I have seen so far.
On how much install you do in the spring with another transfer portal period opening soon…
It's not a huge consideration in my mind. We are invested in these guys; we are not going to hold things until late by chance we lose a guy or two. We understand the landscape and guys can have opportunities here for us, the last two weeks of April. But we feel pretty good in regard to what we are putting in and what we're doing. We want to get better at those schemes, so we want reps at it in April so we can digest it through the summer and then August.
On if the offense is ahead of where it was last year at this point…
Yeah, I think we are ahead. We do have a majority of guys going into year two. Some of the guys that we have added came in here in January and dove right into it. Now they're getting some reps, but I think the competition at the receiver position is healthy and we've got some additions there that have shown they can help us. With the offensive line competition, we are healthier there, I think we are stronger there, and we've got more competition at the o-line.
On if the team is scrimmaging this Saturday…
Yeah, that's the plan right now. We want to kind of just let them play. So, put the ball down and have to operate. Try to move and get stops, those kind of things. We might sprinkle in a situation or two, especially if it doesn't arise, whether we're talking red zone or two-minute. Two-minute went in for the first time today. They'll want to get some special teams work and so we'll, I don't know if we'll do all four phases on Saturday, but we're definitely going punt it and punt return. Yeah, it'll really be our second opportunity for them to tackle and then carry the ball while you're getting tackled. That's a really important piece.
On the leadership Aidan Chiles showed last season, and what do you need from him in that regard…
Continued growth. Being on his game to start. Understanding that he needs help around him, but he needs to start with himself, which he's done. I think that room is really healthy. Alessio (Milivojevic) had another nice day today. I think the addition of Coach (Jon) Boyer, in regards to having a second voice with Coach Lindgren with the offense has helped. Aidan specifically, but it's more that group and that side of the ball.
On the next steps for Nick Marsh and his development…
He has some detail to continue to clean up whether it's his alignment, his stems, his separation. Overly talented, good, good player. I think he's always working to tighten up his details.
On the other receivers stepping up and helping Nick Marsh out…
Specific to Nick, the receiver position, Omari Kelly has had a good eight days. I mean another couple of nice days today; he could be on the opposite side and where Nick's going to see some double team, you need to have another threat on the other side of it. Rodney Bullard, a little bit of ding, hasn't been full all eight days but he's done some good stuff. Evan Boyd has come over here (from Central Michigan), and he was running with the two's today. He's made consistent plays and knows where he's going. Those are a couple highlights.
On Omari Kelly and his strengths…
He's playing the ball in the air. He's had a couple contested catches, especially in the red zone. He's been able to separate on a couple double moves, and you need some skill set over there to separate a contested ball because we think he'll be able to see a decent amount of one-on-one match ups.
On the different types of wide receivers on the team…
In regards to size, speed, quickness, and maybe a little bit of length, you want to be able to blend that. Obviously, ask them to also be physical, whatever the physical attributes are. Yeah, we've got some of that.
On getting players from the transfer portal at all different levels of college football…
I mean it's a piece as you evaluate who the competition is, same as at the high school level. We did want to make a premium of 'had it on tape.' So snaps, starts, at a previous place, and add some stats. The majority of the guys that we were able to get do have experience in college football and playing it, and that's what we are counting on.
On the run game right now…
Solid. It's early, and we're playing some solid defense. We've got some depth up front, and the linebackers are playing, so it's a little hit and miss, but we have some good reps in there. I think it's important to live tackle for the running back position, and to be able to evaluate that. So that will be an emphasis on Saturday to see exactly where this run game is at.
On early impressions of Elijah Tau-Tolliver…
(He's) had a couple of nice runs. We were able to do a portion of live tackling (last Saturday), and he ripped off a long run. He's still learning it, you can tell when he knows exactly what he's doing, he can change gears and plays at a high level. We just have to get him to that point where he's really confident in his scheme.
On Tau-Tolliver's pass-catching ability…
Yeah, we want to be able to throw it to the back. We want to be able to throw it to everyone, but if the guy is a great ball carrier, he can block some people, and pass protect, you get that third element, and he can catch it out of the back field. Third down, red zone, it's huge.
On the competition at kicker…
We actually got a rep today in the two minute, which is actually a live kind of field goal. Those guys (Tarik Ahmetbasic and Martin Connington) have been competing, we're charting it, and I can see that thing playing out until August.
On Jon Boyer, and when he first met Coach Boyer…
It was after our first year at Oregon State. Our quality control coach got another job, and we were looking, actually Lindgren and him knew of each other. I had been in the Big Sky as a coordinator before Jon, but Jon had been coordinating there in the Big Sky for a long time, so I knew he knew some ball. He was with us there (Oregon State) for five years and obviously did a great job.
On having the additional assistant coaches on the field this year…
It does (help), and the handcuffs are off, and now every position gets more. Multiple eyes, multiple hands-on, the meetings, the contribution, it's great. I think it's great for the profession, in regard to developing more and more coaches. I think it's really healthy that there aren't any handcuffs on anybody out there.
Is that something that, when you go to the coaches meeting, you guys talk about? Like retention of coaches and exploring that?
Yeah, retaining but even developing so that these guys can get other opportunities because they have actual experience, they've run a meeting room now, they've run drills, and we've got a lot of that with our assistant position coaches. There are times where they're taking over the group and running the meeting or the drill.
On any impressions with the new faces on the offensive line…
Conner's (Moore) done a nice job; he's been able to hold his own in a big way. Stanton's (Ramil) is really doing a nice job, I know he's not a newcomer. Luka (Vincic) has a little bit of advantage, he had a good idea on the scheme, has brought a voice to that room which has been really nice. So, Luka and Connor kind of stand out newcomer wise.
On Stanton Ramil trying the right side of the line…
Pretty much at left. He's pretty comfortable, he's playing at a high level there. We're not moving there yet.
On the new center situation...
Matt's (Gulbin) done well. Center, it's a little bit more, making all the calls and all that. We are pleased with where he is headed.
On the tight end position…
Health is a big part. With (Brennan) Parachek not getting a ton (of reps this spring), I'm counting on him this summer to be full go. Mike (Masunas) and Jack (Velling) – Jack had a touchdown pass today. Those two guys are experienced, and you throw in Parachek, those three guys we feel like we can do a lot on offense with that.
On Luka Vincic's voice in the room…
Maybe a little rare on just being a newcomer and new to the group that's pseudo-established, a lot of guys are back. And some of it is because of the way he comes across. He's not about himself. He's just trying to energize others, he's complimenting others, and bringing them along. He's been great.
On the nickelback position…
It's up in the air. Ade (Willie) is getting some reps over there, DT's (Dillon Tatum) getting some reps over there, and then you know, (Coaches) James (Adams), Blue (Adams), those guys, we've got a lot of rotation going on in the secondary, so it's not locked in on a single guy, which we don't want it to be.
On the return of Dillon Tatum this spring…
Yeah, physically he's been moving. No hit limitations, and he is an athletic safety, nickel, is a physical player, and I am excited to see him live tackle on Saturday.
On the pass rush...
Yeah, it's coming along. JT's (Jalen Thompson) been around it. We're getting a decent amount of interior in these games, giving us problems on the offensive side, so that's been nice to see.
On the new assistant coaches…
I like the James Adams addition. His experience, I think he's connected well with that group already. Him and Blue go hand in hand. Obviously, (Joe) Rossi is overseeing it, but I've liked it, and Rossi has verbalized to me the addition of just watching James operate. I feel good there. We've talked about Boyer, and he's comfortable with that offensive staff, the scheme, and he's got a relationship with Aidan, so that stage was kind of set for him.
On enjoying football this spring…
I am, yeah. It's nice to get back into it. I love being in all the meetings, watching our coaches coach, seeing our players interact. I like seeing a play going into the meeting in the morning and then it gets executed on the field. I like the way we're practicing in regards like we're competing, but we're competing with each other not against each other, and for eight days these guys have been working together to do that. Iron sharpens iron.
On what the team got accomplished today in practice…
We did some kind of inside run in regard to the team (periods). Individual to start, always about that, and then we got into team drill, and one on one receiver/DB. We did the two-minute. We finished with a mixed down, so first, second, and third down. We did a spotlight, so five minutes and just highlighted a couple one-on-one matchups, and the guys always enjoy that. The whole team is watching. We pressured the kickers, so the whole team is watching for a couple of kicks. Special teams work was emphasized on punt return. But, yeah, I liked it.
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