Preseason Camp Update: Catching Up with Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
8/1/2025 10:34:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Following the third preseason practice for the Michigan State football team on Thursday, offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren met with the media to provide an update on the Spartan offense.
Michigan State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
On the biggest difference of quarterback Aidan Chiles…
Maturity. That process as a young quarterback, I think we talked about it a little bit coming out of the spring. I think he learned a tremendous amount, just through some of the ups and downs of last season, and I felt like he kind of finished the season on an upward trend. I do think brining in Jon Boyer in as the quarterback coach and someone who is around him all the time, as far as dialing into some technique stuff and some areas of focus, as far as pocket, just subtle movement in the pocket. I just think it's been exciting to watch him grow. I also think for him, just an understanding of defensive football and how defenses are trying to attack him. I think that for a young quarterback, you understand some of those looks that you're seeing and the game slows down a little bit for you. And so, it's been, like I said, it's been fun to watch him grow in those areas, and this camp will be another good two weeks for him.
On the growth of the offensive line over the offseason…
You talk about the offense as a whole, and then you really look at that group and some new faces in there. I thought with the portal, that we brought in some guys that have some experience, and have played a lot of football. Matt Gulbin has played a lot of football coming from Wake Forest at center. He's done a lot of really good things for us, and just strong, and physical at point of attack, and to have a center with that experience, I think, is huge. And then, a number of other guys we brought in through the portal, and then some guys like Rakeem (Johnson), and Rustin Young, some guys that got a little taste as a true freshmen last year and then had a whole offseason to kind of soak it in and get stronger in the weight room. And then, like I said, just being around Coach M (Jim Michalczik) for another whole year in terms of development, I just think those guys are thinking less. Things are slowing down for them and we're a lot further along. And I think, one other guy I wanted to mention is Luka Vincic, a guy that was recruited by Coach M (Jim Michalczik), and coached him a little bit back at Oregon State. Just someone that has been around him and knows how he wants things done, and bringing a little bit of intensity, as kind of a competitive guy in that room. I think it's been really good.
On how much of a priority figuring out the offensive line is…
Yeah, I mean, it's up there. We've got a bunch on the list, the list is pretty big. But, I think that's kind of just sorting it out. But we feel really good about it. I feel like we've got some really good options. It's just who's going to end up where, and which five are we going to end up with. I think with our depth, we'd feel good about putting out a number of guys out there, and I think going into the season, for myself, I feel much better going into the season with some healthy bodies. We have some guys going right now that have some experience and are strong enough to go out there, play for us, and win some games for us.
On how he's adjusting to not being tied to just one position…
I'm still pretty involved with the quarterback room, and I just think as the play caller, you got to be on the same page with that quarterback. And it's been awesome because Jon (Boyer) and I worked together for five seasons prior to coming here (at Oregon State), to where I really have a good deal of trust in him, and the things that he's communicating with the quarterback. But yeah, it has allowed me to kind of have my eye on some other positions and being in some of the other position meetings. I just think any time going into year two, you get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses. I know this guy can get open on this route, or this personnel is the personnel we want in for this concept. Then, trying to have the spring to figure some of the new guys that we brought in, it's been fun. But I feel like we've got a lot more weapons than we did one year ago.
On what he believes the biggest improvement from spring ball to fall practice No. 3…
I just think the consistency and execution. I thought last year, we killed ourselves a lot, whether it was a pre-snap penalty, not being aligned, or missing an assignment up front. So much of the stuff we couldn't get started because we were killing ourselves. Ten guys doing it right, one guy doing it wrong, and I just feel like the consistency that we've got, and older guys that have been around here, taking a little bit more ownership and a little bit of leadership, and holding the young guys to standard like that. I feel like we're kind of getting that culture established and not beating ourselves quite as much. Just the consistency and execution, for sure.
On what impresses him about Alessio Milivojevic and if he would consider playing him like they did with Aidan Chiles his freshman year at Oregon State…
Too soon for that, in my opinion. But, you know, we're fired up about Alessio, man. Big arm, he's done a really nice job of picking up the offense. He's a really sharp guy and puts in the time, and yeah, I would feel really good about putting him in the game, and I think that's a conversation for Jon, Coach Smith, and I to sit down and have. But we feel really good about those two.
On the advice he can give to the quarterbacks on listening to multiple voices…
Yeah, I'll start with being in that position. It was really important to me to get a guy that I had been around, that I really trusted, and were speaking the same language (in Jon Boyer). He had been in that offense, we'd worked together and have known each other, and we're going to have a consistent message, but there are going to be times where either myself, or Aidan and Jon, maybe sees things a little differently, and we want to kind of establish that room to where, especially during the practice sessions, if we see something differently, we're going to have those conversations. Ultimately, get to the best thing for that play and that concept, and what Aidan feels really comfortable with. I think bringing in another voice and just someone that can be around him on the day to day, all the time. Like sometimes, when you're the coordinator and you're the quarterback Coach, now you're going over the script or the game plan, and your kind of neglecting him, as far as sometimes in the individual setting from a technique standpoint. I think having Jon around has been awesome for him, to where, he's got access to him all the time, and I think it's really going to help us out this season.
On the running back room, and preference for a full-time starter or a committee approach…
We've done it both ways, and like I said, it's too early to tell at this point. I think those scrimmages and some of those competitive situations as we go through camp, will hopefully kind of clear some things up to whether it's one guy that we're running with, or kind of a group effort.
On the different style of ball carriers this group has…
I think starting with the guys that were here in Makhi (Frazier) and Tullis (Brandon Tullis), those guys had been around, got a little taste of it last year, so I think they're a bit further along in terms of comfort with the playbook and run scheme. Obviously, Brandon's (Brandon Tullis) kind of the bigger, more physical back. Makhi (Fraizer) has a little bit more shape to him. I'm really impressed with Jace (Clarizio) coming out of spring for a freshman. For freshmen, the first half of spring ball has your mind spinning and things move a little fast, but on the back half of the spring, he put together some really good reps, and he's just got the ability to make a guy miss and put his foot into the ground and go get you an explosive run, which is something that we're really excited about with him. Then Elijah (Tau-Tolliver) is experienced. He's been around and has played a lot of ball, and I think that's what we were looking for in that room, with bringing him in. And I think for him, it'll just be kind of managing, staying healthy, going through camp, and I feel good about those four guys. It'll just be when we get into those competitive situations, who we feel like gives us the best chance at executing our run game.
On improving the red zone offense from a year ago…
Well, I think of a number of things. I mean, I think we've talked about the execution and all that stuff gets magnified, and I thought we had a lot of stuff to clean up. And then we got to run the ball and be more efficient down there. I think in the past, the places we'd been, that was something that we really hung our hat on down there in the red zone. Being able to make it physical, they may have an extra guy down there, but we were going to get some positive yardage on that and then create some easy throws for the quarterback to kind of play and complement off that. I just didn't feel like we ran it at a high enough level last year and then we didn't execute the details enough, when we got down there. There's obviously some scheme stuff that we study and looked to tweak every year to fit our personnel that we studied in the offseason.
On switching up the usage of Nick Marsh…
Definitely, yeah, and that's something we talked to him about in spring football, was I came in, and we're going to move you around. You've been in it now for a year, you're very comfortable with it, and I think the beauty in the system that we run is, being able to be very multiple formational personnel wise. I really like being around him (Nick Marsh) because he's a smart player to where I feel really comfortable saying, 'Hey, I'm going to put you at the Z this play, and now I want to put you in the slot, motion to this, and whatnot.' He's had a really good attitude about it, and then for us, it's just about challenging him in those areas and seeing what routes fit his skill set, because we got some pretty good other guys, too, that I feel like can do some of that stuff. I feel really good about that room and how he's (Nick Marsh) picked that up.
On his comfort level about the fellow receivers drawing defensive attention off of Nick Marsh…
Yeah, I think so. Maybe not initially, but we really like the group we brought in. I mean, I think we hit on all four of those guys (Evan Boyd, Rodney Bullard Jr., Omari Kelly, Chrishon McCray). I just think each has their different skill set, but again, you bring in guys that have a little bit of experience, and that have been productive at the collegiate level. Really, all those guys came in, picked it up, had a pro mentality as far as coming in, picking up the system, and have had a really good attitude about, 'Hey, I'm going to contribute, I'm going to block in the run game as well'. And then there were some other guys that we've had in the program, I'll say Charles Taplin has stood out through the first three practices as one of our young freshmen. He can really run, we've been able to connect with him on a couple of explosive plays, so I feel really like we've upgraded the personnel in that room. Definitely having someone opposite of Nick (Marsh) to where if they double team, we've got something else, or the run game can take advantage. I'm excited about that.
On each of the transfer wideouts…
Omari Kelly, really versatile, a guy that has played a lot of football, smart, can play outside, can play inside, and is a really good route runner. I just feel like he's kind of that all around guy that can do a lot of different things. He can stretch the defense, he can win the one-on-ones, and he's got a little bit of length. Like I said, he's one of those high energy guys, that's kind of contagious, he likes being around. He's been really good for that room. And then Rod Bullard (Rodney Bullard Jr.), another guy that has played a little bit, probably more in the slot, but a guy that can play outside as well, that had a 1,000-yard season over there at Valdosta State (Division II). Then Chrishon (McCray), to me, the thing that jumps out about him is his explosion; the ability for a big play, whether it's high percentage, bubble screen, or an option route underneath with the ability to catch the thing, make a guy miss, and create a big play. Or if you come up and press him, he's got the ability to take the top off the defense. So, I think we've got some fun pieces to move around, and like I said, I'm fired up about all four of those guys we brought in (Boyd, Bullard, Kelly, McCray). I feel like we hit on all four, and I don't think you can always say that. So, I thought our personnel department and coaches did a really good job of evaluation in that process.
Michigan State Offensive Coordinator Brian Lindgren
On the biggest difference of quarterback Aidan Chiles…
Maturity. That process as a young quarterback, I think we talked about it a little bit coming out of the spring. I think he learned a tremendous amount, just through some of the ups and downs of last season, and I felt like he kind of finished the season on an upward trend. I do think brining in Jon Boyer in as the quarterback coach and someone who is around him all the time, as far as dialing into some technique stuff and some areas of focus, as far as pocket, just subtle movement in the pocket. I just think it's been exciting to watch him grow. I also think for him, just an understanding of defensive football and how defenses are trying to attack him. I think that for a young quarterback, you understand some of those looks that you're seeing and the game slows down a little bit for you. And so, it's been, like I said, it's been fun to watch him grow in those areas, and this camp will be another good two weeks for him.
On the growth of the offensive line over the offseason…
You talk about the offense as a whole, and then you really look at that group and some new faces in there. I thought with the portal, that we brought in some guys that have some experience, and have played a lot of football. Matt Gulbin has played a lot of football coming from Wake Forest at center. He's done a lot of really good things for us, and just strong, and physical at point of attack, and to have a center with that experience, I think, is huge. And then, a number of other guys we brought in through the portal, and then some guys like Rakeem (Johnson), and Rustin Young, some guys that got a little taste as a true freshmen last year and then had a whole offseason to kind of soak it in and get stronger in the weight room. And then, like I said, just being around Coach M (Jim Michalczik) for another whole year in terms of development, I just think those guys are thinking less. Things are slowing down for them and we're a lot further along. And I think, one other guy I wanted to mention is Luka Vincic, a guy that was recruited by Coach M (Jim Michalczik), and coached him a little bit back at Oregon State. Just someone that has been around him and knows how he wants things done, and bringing a little bit of intensity, as kind of a competitive guy in that room. I think it's been really good.
On how much of a priority figuring out the offensive line is…
Yeah, I mean, it's up there. We've got a bunch on the list, the list is pretty big. But, I think that's kind of just sorting it out. But we feel really good about it. I feel like we've got some really good options. It's just who's going to end up where, and which five are we going to end up with. I think with our depth, we'd feel good about putting out a number of guys out there, and I think going into the season, for myself, I feel much better going into the season with some healthy bodies. We have some guys going right now that have some experience and are strong enough to go out there, play for us, and win some games for us.
On how he's adjusting to not being tied to just one position…
I'm still pretty involved with the quarterback room, and I just think as the play caller, you got to be on the same page with that quarterback. And it's been awesome because Jon (Boyer) and I worked together for five seasons prior to coming here (at Oregon State), to where I really have a good deal of trust in him, and the things that he's communicating with the quarterback. But yeah, it has allowed me to kind of have my eye on some other positions and being in some of the other position meetings. I just think any time going into year two, you get an idea of the strengths and weaknesses. I know this guy can get open on this route, or this personnel is the personnel we want in for this concept. Then, trying to have the spring to figure some of the new guys that we brought in, it's been fun. But I feel like we've got a lot more weapons than we did one year ago.
On what he believes the biggest improvement from spring ball to fall practice No. 3…
I just think the consistency and execution. I thought last year, we killed ourselves a lot, whether it was a pre-snap penalty, not being aligned, or missing an assignment up front. So much of the stuff we couldn't get started because we were killing ourselves. Ten guys doing it right, one guy doing it wrong, and I just feel like the consistency that we've got, and older guys that have been around here, taking a little bit more ownership and a little bit of leadership, and holding the young guys to standard like that. I feel like we're kind of getting that culture established and not beating ourselves quite as much. Just the consistency and execution, for sure.
On what impresses him about Alessio Milivojevic and if he would consider playing him like they did with Aidan Chiles his freshman year at Oregon State…
Too soon for that, in my opinion. But, you know, we're fired up about Alessio, man. Big arm, he's done a really nice job of picking up the offense. He's a really sharp guy and puts in the time, and yeah, I would feel really good about putting him in the game, and I think that's a conversation for Jon, Coach Smith, and I to sit down and have. But we feel really good about those two.
On the advice he can give to the quarterbacks on listening to multiple voices…
Yeah, I'll start with being in that position. It was really important to me to get a guy that I had been around, that I really trusted, and were speaking the same language (in Jon Boyer). He had been in that offense, we'd worked together and have known each other, and we're going to have a consistent message, but there are going to be times where either myself, or Aidan and Jon, maybe sees things a little differently, and we want to kind of establish that room to where, especially during the practice sessions, if we see something differently, we're going to have those conversations. Ultimately, get to the best thing for that play and that concept, and what Aidan feels really comfortable with. I think bringing in another voice and just someone that can be around him on the day to day, all the time. Like sometimes, when you're the coordinator and you're the quarterback Coach, now you're going over the script or the game plan, and your kind of neglecting him, as far as sometimes in the individual setting from a technique standpoint. I think having Jon around has been awesome for him, to where, he's got access to him all the time, and I think it's really going to help us out this season.
On the running back room, and preference for a full-time starter or a committee approach…
We've done it both ways, and like I said, it's too early to tell at this point. I think those scrimmages and some of those competitive situations as we go through camp, will hopefully kind of clear some things up to whether it's one guy that we're running with, or kind of a group effort.
On the different style of ball carriers this group has…
I think starting with the guys that were here in Makhi (Frazier) and Tullis (Brandon Tullis), those guys had been around, got a little taste of it last year, so I think they're a bit further along in terms of comfort with the playbook and run scheme. Obviously, Brandon's (Brandon Tullis) kind of the bigger, more physical back. Makhi (Fraizer) has a little bit more shape to him. I'm really impressed with Jace (Clarizio) coming out of spring for a freshman. For freshmen, the first half of spring ball has your mind spinning and things move a little fast, but on the back half of the spring, he put together some really good reps, and he's just got the ability to make a guy miss and put his foot into the ground and go get you an explosive run, which is something that we're really excited about with him. Then Elijah (Tau-Tolliver) is experienced. He's been around and has played a lot of ball, and I think that's what we were looking for in that room, with bringing him in. And I think for him, it'll just be kind of managing, staying healthy, going through camp, and I feel good about those four guys. It'll just be when we get into those competitive situations, who we feel like gives us the best chance at executing our run game.
On improving the red zone offense from a year ago…
Well, I think of a number of things. I mean, I think we've talked about the execution and all that stuff gets magnified, and I thought we had a lot of stuff to clean up. And then we got to run the ball and be more efficient down there. I think in the past, the places we'd been, that was something that we really hung our hat on down there in the red zone. Being able to make it physical, they may have an extra guy down there, but we were going to get some positive yardage on that and then create some easy throws for the quarterback to kind of play and complement off that. I just didn't feel like we ran it at a high enough level last year and then we didn't execute the details enough, when we got down there. There's obviously some scheme stuff that we study and looked to tweak every year to fit our personnel that we studied in the offseason.
On switching up the usage of Nick Marsh…
Definitely, yeah, and that's something we talked to him about in spring football, was I came in, and we're going to move you around. You've been in it now for a year, you're very comfortable with it, and I think the beauty in the system that we run is, being able to be very multiple formational personnel wise. I really like being around him (Nick Marsh) because he's a smart player to where I feel really comfortable saying, 'Hey, I'm going to put you at the Z this play, and now I want to put you in the slot, motion to this, and whatnot.' He's had a really good attitude about it, and then for us, it's just about challenging him in those areas and seeing what routes fit his skill set, because we got some pretty good other guys, too, that I feel like can do some of that stuff. I feel really good about that room and how he's (Nick Marsh) picked that up.
On his comfort level about the fellow receivers drawing defensive attention off of Nick Marsh…
Yeah, I think so. Maybe not initially, but we really like the group we brought in. I mean, I think we hit on all four of those guys (Evan Boyd, Rodney Bullard Jr., Omari Kelly, Chrishon McCray). I just think each has their different skill set, but again, you bring in guys that have a little bit of experience, and that have been productive at the collegiate level. Really, all those guys came in, picked it up, had a pro mentality as far as coming in, picking up the system, and have had a really good attitude about, 'Hey, I'm going to contribute, I'm going to block in the run game as well'. And then there were some other guys that we've had in the program, I'll say Charles Taplin has stood out through the first three practices as one of our young freshmen. He can really run, we've been able to connect with him on a couple of explosive plays, so I feel really like we've upgraded the personnel in that room. Definitely having someone opposite of Nick (Marsh) to where if they double team, we've got something else, or the run game can take advantage. I'm excited about that.
On each of the transfer wideouts…
Omari Kelly, really versatile, a guy that has played a lot of football, smart, can play outside, can play inside, and is a really good route runner. I just feel like he's kind of that all around guy that can do a lot of different things. He can stretch the defense, he can win the one-on-ones, and he's got a little bit of length. Like I said, he's one of those high energy guys, that's kind of contagious, he likes being around. He's been really good for that room. And then Rod Bullard (Rodney Bullard Jr.), another guy that has played a little bit, probably more in the slot, but a guy that can play outside as well, that had a 1,000-yard season over there at Valdosta State (Division II). Then Chrishon (McCray), to me, the thing that jumps out about him is his explosion; the ability for a big play, whether it's high percentage, bubble screen, or an option route underneath with the ability to catch the thing, make a guy miss, and create a big play. Or if you come up and press him, he's got the ability to take the top off the defense. So, I think we've got some fun pieces to move around, and like I said, I'm fired up about all four of those guys we brought in (Boyd, Bullard, Kelly, McCray). I feel like we hit on all four, and I don't think you can always say that. So, I thought our personnel department and coaches did a really good job of evaluation in that process.
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