Photo Gallery: Michigan State spring practice (4/2)

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State took the field Tuesday morning for its seventh spring practice of the 2024 season. Heading into Jonathan Smith’s first season in charge, the Spartans entered camp with excitement. The team is now in full-pads and digesting the new coaching techniques as we cross the halfway point of the spring.

Michigan State’s roster and coaching staff underwent a significant overhaul this offseason. Tuesday marked one of the first media opportunities to get their eyes on the team’s new additions and those returning from last year.

Head coach Jonathan Smith

Jonathan Smith overlooked the action on April 2. It was spring practice No. 7 for Smith in green and white as he spoke to the media post-practice. Smith didn’t get into much specifics, but is happy with the work his team has put in thus far.

Cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin

Michigan State cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin is back on the Spartan practice field, his first session of spring practices in East Lansing since his playing days in 1992-95. Martin is in charge of the cornerback group as secondary coach Blue Adams overlooks the safeties.

Sophomore QB Aidan Chiles

All eyes were on incoming quarterback Aidan Chiles as he enters his sophomore season, and first with the Spartans. Chiles was the No. 2 quarterback in the transfer portal after he threw for 309 yards (24-for-35) and four touchdowns with zero interceptions at Oregon State in 2023. Jonathan Smith said it would be an “upset” if Chiles is not Michigan State’sstarting quarterback in 2024.

Freshman WR Nick Marsh

Michigan State freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh during warmups on Tuesday. Marsh (6-3, 208) was the highest-ranked recruit in Michigan State’s 2024 recruiting class. He will look to make an impact as a freshman in 2024, with the size and athleticism to see the field early. 

RS Junior OL Geno VanDeMark

Michigan State will return junior offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark for his fourth season in East Lansing, as VanDeMark takes on a veteran role with the team. The interior lineman has played in 18 games for the Spartans, including eight starts.

RS Sophomore Kristian Phillips

Michigan State will also return interior lineman Kristian Phillips, as Phillips has worked on revamping his body this off-season. He played in 11 games as a redshirt freshman in 2023, looking to build on the playing time with a more secure role in 2024.

LB Wayne Matthews

Incoming linebacker transfer Wayne Matthews is looking more comfortable in green and white as he through drills during the April 2 practice. Matthews joins the Spartans with two years of eligibility remaining. He logged 148 tackles in 26 career games with Old Dominion, finishing second in the Sun Belt Conference with 135 tackles in 2023.

LB Jordan Turner

Michigan State also added veteran linebacker Jordan Turner to the 2024 roster in the offseason. Turner spent the previous four seasons at Wisconsin, but he returned to his home state of Michigan for his final season of eligibility. Turner collected 135 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, five sacks, three interceptions, six pass break-ups and two forced fumbles in 30 games with the Badgers, which included 18 starts at inside linebacker.

Sophomore CB Chance Rucker

Sophomore cornerback Chance Rucker played in all twelve games, including eight starts for Michigan State in 2023 as a true freshman. He had four pass breakups and an interception on the season, proving to be a young bright spot who was ahead of the curve in 2023. Rucker will compete for a starting role in 2024.

RS Freshman DL Andrew Depaepe

Michigan State defensive end Andrew Depaepe will enter his second season in East Lansing after a redshirt in 2023. Depaepe (6-5, 254) was a four-star recruit out of high school as he will look to make an impact on the field in 2024.

Defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi

Michigan State defensive coordinator/linebackers Joe Rossi coaching up senior linebacker Cal Haladay during Tuesdays practice. Rossi spent the previous seven years on the Minnesota coaching staff. He was also on staff at Rutgers for four season, among other stops. Rossi is a two-time Broyles Award nominee, which is given annually to the top assistant coach in college football

Offensive line coach Jim Michalczik

Jim Michalczik joined the Michigan State staff in December 2023 as the Spartans’ offensive line coach/run game coordinator with more than 30 years of coaching experience at both the collegiate and NFL levels. He was working with redshirt sophomore Kristian Phillips and the rest of the Spartan offensive linemen during the practice.