MSU football head coach Jonathan Smith provides update as Spartans wrap up spring ball
MSU football head coach Jonathan Smith provides update as Spartans wrap up spring ball Hear what Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith had to say about the Spartans as they wrap up spring ball this week
Michigan State football is just about done with spring practice, and head coach Jonathan Smith was on hand to provide an update on his program before closing out the spring session.
Smith met with the local media on Thursday to field a wide variety of questions from the local media. Smith is entering his second season as the Spartans' head coach and is looking for a strong year in 2025 than his first as the lead man at Michigan State.
Check out highlights and notable comments from Smith's press conference as well as the full video from Smith's press conference on Thursday below.
Highlights & Notable Comments
Smith is excited about the progress Michigan State has made over the spring practice season
Smith said Michigan State will wrap up the spring session on Saturday with a practice and scrimmage; families of players and coaches will be able to attend the session
Smith said the defense played particularly well in the Spartans' most recent scrimmage
Smith said Michigan State will bring back the "Meet the Spartans" event in August (more details to be provided later on)
Smith shared that there's been a noticeable jump from year one to year two in the program, again acknowledging the growth seen this spring compare to last year
Smith noted improved offensive line play this spring as one of the more significant areas for progress
Smith said next week the coaching staff will meet with the current players and discuss future with program knowing transfer portal is now open
Smith acknowledged Michigan State will be active in spring portal -- he pointed to edge rushers and secondary as key areas for focus
Smith said Michigan State is leaving spring "pretty healthy" which will factor decision-making in spring portal movement
Smith and coaching staff are preparing for a roster size of 105 next year
Smith said starting quarterback Aidan Chiles is bigger and stronger from this time last year; he added that he's really taken a step in his game mentally as well after another year in the system
Smith said Michigan State is operating with an assumption that revenue sharing will be in place in relation to roster management and NIL decisions
Smith pointed to inside linebacker as the "deepest" position group on the Spartans' roster right now; added the wide receiver is also extremely deep
Smith said improvement in red zone play and ball security has been an emphasis throughout the spring and will continue to be an area of focus moving into the summer and fall camp
Full Video
This video is courtesy of SpartanMag
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
The SEC reveals TV windows for Auburn football
The SEC reveals TV windows for Auburn football Mark your calendars! The SEC has officially revealed the TV windows for every Auburn game The football season is almost here, and it is time to begin planning for roadtrips to the Plains and beyond to watch the Auburn Tigers this fall. Weeks after major networks revealed the start times for Auburn's first three games of the season, the SEC has now released the television windows for the remaining nine games on Auburn's schedule to better prepare fans for the season. Auburn's start times are broken down into four categories: early (11 a.m. – noon CT), afternoon (2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT), night (5 – 7 p.m. CT), and flex (2:30 – 3:30 p.m. CT or 5-7 p.m. CT). Several notable windows are its game with Georgia at home (night), Arkansas on the road (early), and the Iron Bowl against Alabama (flex). Auburn's SEC opener at Oklahoma gets the flex treatment on Sept. 20, with the following week at Texas A&M beginning in the afternoon window at Kyle Field. The Tigers' home opener at Georgia will be under the lights at Jordan-Hare Stadium, with two of their next three games against Missouri and Kentucky being labeled as "flex." The game in-between the Missouri Tigers and Kentucky Wildcats at Arkansas will be an early kick. The next two games, against Vanderbilt in Nashville, and Mercer at home, will kick in the afternoon. Auburn vs. Vanderbilt will begin in the afternoon time frame while the game against Mercer will begin at 1 p.m. CT and will air on SEC Network. Finally, the Iron Bowl at Jordan-Hare Stadium is flexed. However, as the trend has shown recently, fans can expect the game to kick off at 2:30 p.m. CT. The time and date for Auburn's first three games were revealed last month. Auburn will begin the season in Waco, Texas on Friday, Aug. 29 against the Baylor Bears at 7 p.m. CT on FOX. The next two games, against Ball State and South Alabama, respectively, will kick off at 6:30 p.m. CT and 11:45 a.m. CT. Contact/Follow us @TheAuburnWire on X (Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Auburn news, notes, and opinions. You can also follow Taylor on Twitter @TaylorJones__
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
HC Sean McVay confirms Steelers' Aaron Rodgers could have signed with Rams
HC Sean McVay confirms Steelers' Aaron Rodgers could have signed with Rams Early offseason Aaron Rodgers to the Rams rumors have begun to resurface — and HC Sean McVay set the record straight. On Wednesday, Good Morning Football's Kyle Brandt asked McVay to clarify what really happened between the Rams and Rodgers this offseason — and this was his response: "I think our first priority, which was consistently communicated, was let's work something out with Matthew [Stafford]. We were very fortunate that it worked out that way. If that wasn't able to occur, then [signing Rodgers] was definitely a conversation and a possibility for us," McVay admitted. "I have a ton of respect for his body of work. I've gotten to know Aaron and really enjoy the conversations — the approach and the way he thinks about the game and in life. So, that was a possibility, but our first priority was always to get Matthew back." Pittsburgh was considered a major favorite to land Stafford when trade speculation surrounding the Rams QB ran rampant — before he ultimately signed a massive extension to remain in Los Angeles. It's crazy to imagine that there exists a possibility where Rodgers potentially signed with the Rams — and the Steelers may have been able to land Stafford. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like.
USA Today
2 hours ago
- USA Today
UNC set to be on road for ACC/SEC Challenge
UNC set to be on road for ACC/SEC Challenge UNC is heading on the road to face off against Kentucky. Last season, the North Carolina Tar Heels played one of the toughest schedules in all of college basketball in their non-conference slate. And now, for the 2025-26 season, it looks like they will have a few blue blood programs on their slate. The Tar Heels are already scheduled to host Kansas in the final game of a home-and-home series but now we know they will also be in Lexington, Kentucky. Per Jon Rothstein, the Tar Heels will travel to face off against the Kentucky Wildcats as part of the ACC/SEC Challenge in 2025. This is the second-straight year the Tar Heels will be facing off against a preseason top 25 team in the challenge after they hosted Alabama in the Dean Dome a year ago. Kentucky is fresh off an impressive season under the first-year head coach Mark Pope. They should be one of the favorites in the SEC again this year. Here are the reported matchups for the event: There are some very intriguing matchups once again this year with Duke hosting the defending national champion Florida Gators. NC State will also head to Auburn to face off against Bruce Pearl and the Tigers. UNC's non-conference schedule is tough once again. In addition to Kansas, they will also play Michigan State and Ohio State out of the Big Ten. Follow us @TarHeelsWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of North Carolina Tar Heels news, notes and opinions.
