Jonathan Smith details blending new recruits with past Oregon State commits at Michigan State

Since coming over to Michigan State after leading the resurgence of Oregon State, Jonathan Smith is attempting to strike a delicate balance.

As it usually goes down now when a coach moves on to a new program, many of Smith’s recruits from the Beavers are following him to East Lansing. However, what about the players that have been committed to the Spartans throughout the last couple of treacherous months?

We’ve seen coaches like Deion Sanders say out with the old, in with the new. That’s not exactly Smith’s strategy, at least that’s not what it seems. He’s looking to blend both parties together, and move forward on this journey with the Spartans.

“I think we blended it really well,” Smith said, regarding the way former Oregon State recruits who followed Smith to East Lansing and Michigan State recruits from have blended together. “Yes, there were current guys who were committed to this place before we arrived. We tried to dive into those guys. Again, communicate the vision. Obviously, evaluate. Make sure the fit is right, on both sides, which it really was, with these guys that can play.

“At the same time, we had some deep-rooted relationships with previous players that were committed elsewhere, that I think a lot of this in recruiting is about the relationship. They had felt good. Got them to come out here on campus to make sure they liked the environment, and landed in a good place with those guys.”

Alas, time will tell which group gets the better of who. Regardless, as long as the winning follows Jonathan Smith, many won’t mind too much. They’re all Spartans now.

Jonathan Smith breaks down Michigan State’s quarterback plan

Moreover, Michigan State‘s future at quarterback for the 2024 season was likely solved by the NCAA Transfer Portal. There was still a need for depth at the position and luckily for new head coach Jonathan Smith, he signed two more QBs to his roster and has high hopes for the position in the offseason. 

“We had, at one point in time, no one on scholarship in that room. So I almost wanted to flip that perspective as it’s actually a great opportunity to recruit,” Smith said during his early signing day press conference. “You’re trying to draw quarterbacks at that position and when there’s no one currently in the room, that’s attractive to players. 

“Obviously, yes, we are gonna be adding through the transfer portal, and a lot of that becomes public and things. That’s a key piece at that position. 

In theory, the two quarterbacks — while not highly recruited — at least one of them will be the No. 2 option for the Spartans under center unless a more experienced transfer comes into the program. Still, Michigan State landed a commitment from sophomore QB Aidan Chiles, who played for Smith at Oregon State and is the presumed starter unless an even bigger name comes to town.

It looks like it’s the former Oregon State signal caller’s job to lose, but we’ll see if Jonathan Smith switches things up as the season draws near.