Michigan State University Athletics
Jonathan Smith Press Conference Coverage: Spartans Wrap Up Preseason Camp
8/20/2025 10:12:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan State football team held its 18th and final practice of preseason camp on Monday morning. Following practice, MSU head coach Jonathan Smith met with the media to give an update on the Spartans.
On Monday evening, Smith announced the 2025 team captains: junior quarterback Aidan Chiles, graduate senior defensive lineman Quindarius Dunnigan, graduate senior linebacker Sam Edwards, graduate senior offensive lineman Matt Gulbin and junior linebacker Jordan Hall.
Following a two-day break from camp, the Spartans will resume practice on Thursday morning as the team shifts its attention to game preparation for the season opener on Aug. 29 against Western Michigan. Later in the day, the program will host "Meet the Spartans" from 4-8 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. For more information on the free event, please visit msuspartans.com/MeetTheSpartans
MSU head coach Jonathan Smith:
Opening statement…
Good work this morning. We are pleased with what we got done today, and now we're going to begin to transition into game prep. So, training camp is kind of concluding, and we are pleased with it. Obviously, got a lot of hard work in and getting closer to game time. Still going to want to take advantage of the next less than two weeks here, practices and all that. But we are pleased with where we're at.
On the starting positions being named…
There's still some competition, and it's in a good way. I mean, we just feel like we've got some depth to where we got a position group or two that we got more than two starters. We want to get guys in. I think with the running back room, we felt the run game was better on Saturday, so we were pleased with that. Brandon (Tullis) had some good carries, really all of them (the running backs) did. Makhi (Fraizer) ran it really well, caught the ball out of the backfield well, so we were pleased with that that room. That would be a particular one (room/position group) where you can see multiple guys back there.
On any positions where a player may have 'took a step and grabbed the job'…
Well, those two guys, Makhi (Fraizer) and Brandon (Tullis) in the in the backfield, carrying the ball. Those guys stepped up and played really well. I thought the offensive line, again, we played, I think, eight, nine guys in different groups with the ones and the twos, and it was good to see.
On if any position battle is log jammed along the offensive line…
We got that kind of static at tackle. Four guys are playing left and right because Stanton's (Ramil) pretty heavy on the left side, but Conner (Moore) and Lepo (Ashton Lepo) are getting in on both sides, Rustin (Young) is in that mix as well. When you go to guard, four guys rotating through both sides of that with (Gavin) Brocious and (Kristian Phillips) Dooley, and Luka (Vincic), Caleb (Carter). Rakeem's (Johnson) mixed in too, he's played some tackle, he's played center. He's got about fifty-fifty on the rep count there, obviously, with Matt (Gulbin). (Cooper) Terpstra's been at center, and has gotten a good amount of reps. So, all those guys are in the mix.
On the comfort level of the team being in year two, and his own comfort level entering his second season as the head coach for the Spartans…
I think that there's a comfort, there's some consistency. They're confident in the approach and what to expect, and what the standard and expectation is, and that's understood. And, going into year two that way, I think there is a comfort level. Again, we're pushing. We've got to find ways to continue to work and make this thing competitive and all of that. But I think on the day to day, it feels like year two.
On the defensive back room and if starters have been determined…
We haven't determined that. We're going to sit down with each guy tomorrow, and kind of let them know currently, where things are at. Once we get into game prep, we start, you know, ones on twos, and we're going to have scout teams and all that. Those conversations will take place tomorrow. But, again, that's for just currently. It's going to be a long season. We're going to need a lot of guys. I do see us at corner probably be playing more than just two.
On how he evaluates a larger position group, such as defensive back…
I think the competition in that group, as well as a couple of others, will continue through game one, game two, and rotate and getting guys in. Obviously, execution in the game is going to be a great way to evaluate, the ability in the right spot, contest at corner, and make plays, get guys on the ground and tackle, and the games will be great for evaluation that way.
On the growth he has seen from quarterback Aidan Chiles…
I think there's been an approach to him this fall camp. Even back to spring ball a little bit of, kind of that serious, the focus and really locking in on his responsibilities. I think in the scrimmages, he's taking care of the ball. That's been good to see in two scrimmages. Now, again, we aren't tackling yet and all that, but I've seen growth. You can feel some command out there. We have a scrimmage situation, down and distance, and the ball moves, that kind of thing. I mean, anticipating calls, coming out in the huddle, it's crisp, he gets to the line of scrimmage, and getting us in the right play, all of that has grown.
On working with balancing playing 'loose', but not playing too 'tight' with Aidan Chiles…
Yep, there's a balance there, and coach (Jon) Boyer, coach (Brian) Lindgren, those guys are on the day to day with him, and there is balance in that. I mean, that's for everyone, every guy's got a high expectation. It means a lot to them. They want to do really, really well. At the same time, they have to be enjoying the process.
On if he anticipates practice being more intense entering game week…
Game weeks, especially the first one, guys are excited. They have put in a lot of work, a yearlong leading up to this. And so, yeah, we're taking it lighter on the body the next two days, so their body should even feel fresher coming out of this thing. Getting closer to game week will bring more excitement.
On his experience putting on hockey goalie pads for a team activity during camp…
It was fun as a group, for sure. My first time in goalie pads and it looked that way, you guys saw me. It was good. We have a good group. We do try to break up camp. We've had so much football going that we do some team activities, and that was one of them. It's awesome having the hockey team come over and join us. Very good times.
On this year's receiving room…
It's a good topic, really, because we do feel like we've got a good group with different skill sets, that you'd love to get touches for multiple guys. Obviously, with Nick (Marsh) and Omari (Kelly), they can do a lot and make big plays. But you add to that group, Rodney Bullard had a huge play in the scrimmage for a touchdown. (Chrishon) McCray has the ability to transition in the slot or outside. Evan Boyd has come in and had good (practices). So, we've got different skill sets there that we've got to do a good job coaching and putting them in great positions.
On what he thinks Aidan Chiles learned from last season…
Experience. There's going to be ups and downs, just like all of us in life. You get experience, you learn from that. It's not always going to be perfect. It's going to be really good at times and how you handle that, and then when it doesn't go the way you want it, and how you handle that.
On what he saw from scrimmage No. 1 and scrimmage No. 2…
Well, I think it was really competitive, the second one. Offense had some in the first one, but this one was back and forth. The red zone execution offensively was way better in the second one, which was great to see. Again, I think both scrimmages that we tackled well defensively. Had a bunch of clips showing the team, guys getting them on the ground, and that was awesome because we don't get to tackle that much, and they took full advantage. I mean, both scrimmages, I think the first one, just over 100 plays. The second one was right at 100 plays.
On the rush ends and linebackers…
I think we've got depth at linebacker. It's pretty clear, that inside linebacker group, we got four for sure who could play, maybe five. Joe (Rossi) does a great job too, also in some third down packages where those guys can be moving around. The rush side, that's another group that might be in the game one or two to get total clarity.
On if anyone stood out in Saturday's scrimmage…
Makhi (Fraizer) caught a couple of touchdown passes, one that was really impressive. Brandon (Tullis) had a physical run for a touchdown. Rodney Bullard (Jr.) had a deep ball, I'm thinking about it offensively. Sam Edwards had a pick, that was a good play in the red zone. I don't know how many exact sacks, but they got to the quarterback a few times, which was good. Brady (Pretzlaff) had some good tackles in the backfield, a couple for a loss.
On reviving the 'Meet the Spartans' tradition…
I'm looking forward to that, and the team, looking forward to getting out there and saying hello. And, again, with home field advantage, a lot of it starts with the fan base, and the energy that they bring to the table. So, we want to go out and meet them, and get ready for next week.
On Monday evening, Smith announced the 2025 team captains: junior quarterback Aidan Chiles, graduate senior defensive lineman Quindarius Dunnigan, graduate senior linebacker Sam Edwards, graduate senior offensive lineman Matt Gulbin and junior linebacker Jordan Hall.
Following a two-day break from camp, the Spartans will resume practice on Thursday morning as the team shifts its attention to game preparation for the season opener on Aug. 29 against Western Michigan. Later in the day, the program will host "Meet the Spartans" from 4-8 p.m. in Spartan Stadium. For more information on the free event, please visit msuspartans.com/MeetTheSpartans
MSU head coach Jonathan Smith:
Opening statement…
Good work this morning. We are pleased with what we got done today, and now we're going to begin to transition into game prep. So, training camp is kind of concluding, and we are pleased with it. Obviously, got a lot of hard work in and getting closer to game time. Still going to want to take advantage of the next less than two weeks here, practices and all that. But we are pleased with where we're at.
On the starting positions being named…
There's still some competition, and it's in a good way. I mean, we just feel like we've got some depth to where we got a position group or two that we got more than two starters. We want to get guys in. I think with the running back room, we felt the run game was better on Saturday, so we were pleased with that. Brandon (Tullis) had some good carries, really all of them (the running backs) did. Makhi (Fraizer) ran it really well, caught the ball out of the backfield well, so we were pleased with that that room. That would be a particular one (room/position group) where you can see multiple guys back there.
On any positions where a player may have 'took a step and grabbed the job'…
Well, those two guys, Makhi (Fraizer) and Brandon (Tullis) in the in the backfield, carrying the ball. Those guys stepped up and played really well. I thought the offensive line, again, we played, I think, eight, nine guys in different groups with the ones and the twos, and it was good to see.
On if any position battle is log jammed along the offensive line…
We got that kind of static at tackle. Four guys are playing left and right because Stanton's (Ramil) pretty heavy on the left side, but Conner (Moore) and Lepo (Ashton Lepo) are getting in on both sides, Rustin (Young) is in that mix as well. When you go to guard, four guys rotating through both sides of that with (Gavin) Brocious and (Kristian Phillips) Dooley, and Luka (Vincic), Caleb (Carter). Rakeem's (Johnson) mixed in too, he's played some tackle, he's played center. He's got about fifty-fifty on the rep count there, obviously, with Matt (Gulbin). (Cooper) Terpstra's been at center, and has gotten a good amount of reps. So, all those guys are in the mix.
On the comfort level of the team being in year two, and his own comfort level entering his second season as the head coach for the Spartans…
I think that there's a comfort, there's some consistency. They're confident in the approach and what to expect, and what the standard and expectation is, and that's understood. And, going into year two that way, I think there is a comfort level. Again, we're pushing. We've got to find ways to continue to work and make this thing competitive and all of that. But I think on the day to day, it feels like year two.
On the defensive back room and if starters have been determined…
We haven't determined that. We're going to sit down with each guy tomorrow, and kind of let them know currently, where things are at. Once we get into game prep, we start, you know, ones on twos, and we're going to have scout teams and all that. Those conversations will take place tomorrow. But, again, that's for just currently. It's going to be a long season. We're going to need a lot of guys. I do see us at corner probably be playing more than just two.
On how he evaluates a larger position group, such as defensive back…
I think the competition in that group, as well as a couple of others, will continue through game one, game two, and rotate and getting guys in. Obviously, execution in the game is going to be a great way to evaluate, the ability in the right spot, contest at corner, and make plays, get guys on the ground and tackle, and the games will be great for evaluation that way.
On the growth he has seen from quarterback Aidan Chiles…
I think there's been an approach to him this fall camp. Even back to spring ball a little bit of, kind of that serious, the focus and really locking in on his responsibilities. I think in the scrimmages, he's taking care of the ball. That's been good to see in two scrimmages. Now, again, we aren't tackling yet and all that, but I've seen growth. You can feel some command out there. We have a scrimmage situation, down and distance, and the ball moves, that kind of thing. I mean, anticipating calls, coming out in the huddle, it's crisp, he gets to the line of scrimmage, and getting us in the right play, all of that has grown.
On working with balancing playing 'loose', but not playing too 'tight' with Aidan Chiles…
Yep, there's a balance there, and coach (Jon) Boyer, coach (Brian) Lindgren, those guys are on the day to day with him, and there is balance in that. I mean, that's for everyone, every guy's got a high expectation. It means a lot to them. They want to do really, really well. At the same time, they have to be enjoying the process.
On if he anticipates practice being more intense entering game week…
Game weeks, especially the first one, guys are excited. They have put in a lot of work, a yearlong leading up to this. And so, yeah, we're taking it lighter on the body the next two days, so their body should even feel fresher coming out of this thing. Getting closer to game week will bring more excitement.
On his experience putting on hockey goalie pads for a team activity during camp…
It was fun as a group, for sure. My first time in goalie pads and it looked that way, you guys saw me. It was good. We have a good group. We do try to break up camp. We've had so much football going that we do some team activities, and that was one of them. It's awesome having the hockey team come over and join us. Very good times.
On this year's receiving room…
It's a good topic, really, because we do feel like we've got a good group with different skill sets, that you'd love to get touches for multiple guys. Obviously, with Nick (Marsh) and Omari (Kelly), they can do a lot and make big plays. But you add to that group, Rodney Bullard had a huge play in the scrimmage for a touchdown. (Chrishon) McCray has the ability to transition in the slot or outside. Evan Boyd has come in and had good (practices). So, we've got different skill sets there that we've got to do a good job coaching and putting them in great positions.
On what he thinks Aidan Chiles learned from last season…
Experience. There's going to be ups and downs, just like all of us in life. You get experience, you learn from that. It's not always going to be perfect. It's going to be really good at times and how you handle that, and then when it doesn't go the way you want it, and how you handle that.
On what he saw from scrimmage No. 1 and scrimmage No. 2…
Well, I think it was really competitive, the second one. Offense had some in the first one, but this one was back and forth. The red zone execution offensively was way better in the second one, which was great to see. Again, I think both scrimmages that we tackled well defensively. Had a bunch of clips showing the team, guys getting them on the ground, and that was awesome because we don't get to tackle that much, and they took full advantage. I mean, both scrimmages, I think the first one, just over 100 plays. The second one was right at 100 plays.
On the rush ends and linebackers…
I think we've got depth at linebacker. It's pretty clear, that inside linebacker group, we got four for sure who could play, maybe five. Joe (Rossi) does a great job too, also in some third down packages where those guys can be moving around. The rush side, that's another group that might be in the game one or two to get total clarity.
On if anyone stood out in Saturday's scrimmage…
Makhi (Fraizer) caught a couple of touchdown passes, one that was really impressive. Brandon (Tullis) had a physical run for a touchdown. Rodney Bullard (Jr.) had a deep ball, I'm thinking about it offensively. Sam Edwards had a pick, that was a good play in the red zone. I don't know how many exact sacks, but they got to the quarterback a few times, which was good. Brady (Pretzlaff) had some good tackles in the backfield, a couple for a loss.
On reviving the 'Meet the Spartans' tradition…
I'm looking forward to that, and the team, looking forward to getting out there and saying hello. And, again, with home field advantage, a lot of it starts with the fan base, and the energy that they bring to the table. So, we want to go out and meet them, and get ready for next week.
Players Mentioned
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OL
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