Draft Scout Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20 Player News, College Football: Warning: Undefined variable $TeamName in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\notesteam.php on line 20

2025 BIG TEN EDDLEMAN-FIELDS PUNTER OF THE YEAR: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State,...MSU's second Big Ten Eddleman-Fields Punter of the Year Award recipient, joined by Bryce Baringer in 2022 (award began in 2011)...Now a three-time All-Big Ten honoree after garnering second-team recognition from coaches and third-time honors from media, along with consensus second-team honoree in 2023...Is eighth different Michigan State punter to earn first-team All-Big Ten honors and first consensus All-B1G first-team honoree since Brandon Fields in 2006...Picked up where he left off last season by leading the Big Ten and ranking second in the FBS with a 48.5 yards per punt average. ..Leads the B1G in punts of 50+ yards (23), with nine more than next punter (Maryland's Bryce McFerson with 14)...Also third in the B1G and ranks tied for 30th in FBS in punts inside the 20 (20)...Owns a career punting average of 47.7 yards per punt (148 punts for 7,055 yards), which ranks No. 1 in school history (previous record: Bryce Baringer, 46.0 avg. (2018, 20-22)...Currently ranks No. 1 in all of NCAA among active players in punting career punting average (47.7 ypp); his career punting average ranks No. 1 in Big Ten history (previous record: Tory Taylor, 46.3-yard average at Iowa from 2020-23). - Michigan State Football

(DS#2 P) rJr/2026

P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/30/25 - Jack Velling, Sr/2026, Michigan State, 6-4, 245 (DS#20 TE) + More +

Michigan State has fired football coach Jonathan Smith less than two years after he was hired. The move was made Sunday by athletic director J Batt, who has been on campus since June, according to a person familiar with the situation speaking only on condition of anonymity because the move had not been announced. The Spartans lost eight of their last nine games to finish 4-8. Smith's overall record at MSU was 9-15 and just 4-14 in the Big Ten. Smith is due more than $30 million, according to terms of his seven-year contract, and the school will have to spend many millions to find a replacement. The Spartans aren't the only ones looking for a winning coach, either. Smith was 34-35 over six seasons at Oregon State, winning at least eight games in consecutive seasons for the first time in more than a decade at his alma mater. He went 5-7 overall and 3-6 in the Big Ten during his debut season last year. His seat got warm when athletic director Alan Haller, who hired him, left the school last May. Expectations were low for this season and the results were worse.

The Spartans followed up wins against Western Michigan, Boston College and Youngstown State with an 0-8 start in Big Ten play. They lost to USC, Nebraska, UCLA, Indiana and Michigan by double digits before blowing a late lead and losing at Minnesota by three points in overtime. The only league win came Saturday against Maryland. Smith benched quarterback Aidan Chiles, who followed him from Oregon State, against the Golden Gophers and gave redshirt freshman Alessio Milivojevic a shot to start perhaps with an eye toward the future the coach no longer has at Michigan State. The program has struggled since the school's winningest coach, Mark Dantonio, retired and ended a record-breaking, 13-year run with consecutive 7-6 seasons and a .500 Big Ten record over two years. With limited choices in the winter of 2020, inexperienced athletic director Bill Beekman hired Mel Tucker after he went 5-7 in one season at Colorado and had ties to the school as a graduate assistant under Nick Saban. - AP College Football

(DS#20 TE) Sr/2026

TE Jack Velling, Michigan State
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/29/25 - Alessio Milivojevic, rFr/2029, Michigan State, 6-2, 218 (DS#999 QB) + More +

Alessio Milivojevic tossed a career-high four touchdown passes and Alante Brown had a 92-yard kickoff return for a touchdown Saturday night to help Michigan State to a 38-28 victory over Maryland and snap the Spartans' eight-game losing streak. Milivojevic completed 27 of 39 passes for 292 yards for the Spartans (4-8 overall, 1-8 Big Ten). Embattled Jonathan Smith avoided becoming the first Michigan State coach to go winless in conference play for the first time since Duffy Daugherty's 1958 team which went 0-5-1. The Terrapins (4-8, 1-8) closed the season with its first eight-game losing since the 2015 season. Maryland freshman Malik Washington completed 38 of 61 passes for a career-high 459 yards, Jalil Farooq had 10 catches for 110 yards and Shaleak Knotts added 8 receptions for 139 yards.

After Michigan State built a 24-7 halftime lead, Maryland pulled within 24-21 on DeJuan Williams' 5-yard touchdown run and Washington's 25-yard scoring pass to Knotts. Following Brown's 92-yard kickoff return, Washington again cut the margin to three with his 24-yard touchdown pass to Farooq. Sean O'Haire missed a 27-yard field goal with 7:38 left in the game that would have tied it at 31-all. The Spartans sealed the win with Milivojevic's 10-yard scoring pass to Omai Kelly on fourth down with 1:56 remaining. Michigan State scored the first 17 points of the game. Milivojevic threw two touchdown passes – a 1-yarder to Kai Rios and 13-yard toss to Nick Marsh – and Martin Connington nailed a 25-yard field goal. After Washington connected with Farooq on a 7-yard scoring pass, Milivojevic hit Jack Velling for a 9-yard touchdown just seconds before halftime. - Michigan State/AP College Football

(DS#999 QB) rFr/2029

QB Alessio Milivojevic, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/19/25 - Trent Fraley, rJr/2027, Michigan State, 6-1, 303 (DS#12 C) + More +

WEEK 9 MISSOURI VALLEY OFFENSIVE LINEMAN OF THE WEEK: C Trent Fraley, North Dakota State, 6-1, 303, Jr., Moon Township, Pa. (Moon Area HS / Marshall),...Fraley earned a 91 percent overall grade and had three key blocks in North Dakota State's 38-7 road win over South Dakota State. Fraley played 67 of 71 snaps for the Bison, who rushed for 257 yards, 5.2 yards per carry and five touchdowns while rolling up 500 yards of total offense - the most by an NDSU team in 22 Dakota Marker games. The Bison converted 9 of 16 third down opportunities and controlled the football for more than 38 minutes. - Missouri Valley Football

(DS#12 C) rJr/2027

C Trent Fraley, Michigan State
News Source: Missouri Valley Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/19/25 - Kenneth Williams, So/2028, Michigan State, 5-09, 190 (DS#999 RB) + More +

WEEK 9 BIG TEN CO-SPECIAL TEAMS PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Kenneth Williams, Nebraska, RB - So. - Lincoln, Neb. - Lincoln High,...Opened the second half with a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to give Nebraska a 14-6 lead...The kickoff return for a touchdown was Williams' second of at least 85 yards in the past three games, and marked Nebraska's first kickoff return for a touchdown since 2017...Finished the game with two kickoff returns for 124 total yards...Last Nebraska Special Teams Players of the Week: Quinton Newsome (Oct. 30, 2023). - Big Ten Football

(DS#999 RB) So/2028

RB Kenneth Williams, Michigan State
News Source: Big Ten Football
Share/Comment: Here

11/15/25 - Cam Edwards, rJr/2027, Michigan State, 5-11, 210 (DS#17 RB) + More +

Cam Edwards rushed for 165 yards, pushing him over 1,000 yards for the season, and UConn defeated Air Force 26-16 on Saturday. Edwards scored two touchdowns and finished the day with 1,031 yards. The Huskies (8-3) scored a touchdown on their first possession of each half. They took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter on a 10-yard run by Joe Fagnano but a pass for the two-point conversion was incomplete. UConn added a 47-yard field goal by Chris Freeman in the final minute of the second quarter for a 9-7 lead at halftime.

UConn opened the second half with a six-play, 79-yard drive capped by Edwards' 8-yard touchdown run. Edwards opened the drive with a 36-yard run and Fagnano had a 31-yard completion to Shamar Porter. Freeman added a 27-yard field goal early in the fourth and a 5-yard run by Edwards made it 26-10 with 5 1/2 minutes remaining. Air Force's Dylan Carson picked up his second rushing touchdown of the game on a 2-yard run to make it 26-16 with 2 1/2 minutes left in the game. Owen Allen had 123 yards rushing for the Falcons (3-7), who had 291 yards on the ground. The Huskies wrapped up their home season at 6-0 and are 12-1 at home over the past two seasons. - UConn/AP College Football

(DS#17 RB) rJr/2027

RB Cam Edwards, Michigan State
News Source: UConn/AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/21/25 - Wayne Matthews III, rSr/2026, Michigan State, 6-2, 230 (DS#40 OLB) + More +

Michigan State starting linebacker Wayne Matthews has been taken off the Coliseum field on a cart after getting hurt while making a tackle in the Spartans' game against No. 25 Southern California on Saturday night. Matthews was hurt while tackling USC running back Waymond Jordan in the red zone with 42 seconds left in the second quarter. Matthews' teammates signaled for help from the sideline after he didn't get up from a pile of players, and Michigan State's medical personnel immediately tended to Matthews on the field.

Matthews, whose jersey was cut off on the field, was eventually loaded onto a backboard and a cart while players from both teams watched reverently. The linebacker appeared to give a thumbs-up to his teammates before he was driven across the field and up the Coliseum tunnel. The Spartans gathered for a team prayer huddle before they continued the game. Matthews is a fifth-year senior who spent his first three collegiate seasons at Old Dominion before joining Michigan State last year. He had two tackles against USC, giving him 26 in the Spartans' first four games. Michigan State's other starting linebacker, Jordan Hall, was ejected in the second quarter for targeting. USC scored on the first play after Matthews' injury and eventually took a 24-10 lead into halftime. - AP College Football

(DS#40 OLB) rSr/2026

OLB Wayne Matthews III, Michigan State
News Source: AP College Football
Share/Comment: Here

09/08/25 - Jordan Hall, Jr/2027, Michigan State, 6-2, 238 (DS#11 ILB) + More +

WEEK 2 BIG TEN DEFENSIVE PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Jordan Hall, Michigan State, LB - Jr. - Fredericksburg, Va. - IMG Academy,...Registered a career-high 15 tackles in the win over Boston College..His nine solo stops Saturday night marked a career best..Added one forced fumble, forcing a fumble that teammate redshirt senior defensive back Armorion Smith recovered in the end zone in the first quarter...Last Michigan State Defensive Player of the Week honoree: Cal Haladay (Nov. 14, 2022). - 2025 Big Ten Football

(DS#11 ILB) Jr/2027

ILB Jordan Hall, Michigan State
News Source: Big Ten Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - Jonathan Kim, rSr/2025, Michigan State, 6-0, 227 (DS#10 K) + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION: ST Jonathan Kim,...Kim, a Fredericksburg, Virginia, native, ranked ninth in the Big Ten with 13 field goals, with seven of those coming from 40-plus yards, including four of 50-plus yards. He boomed the longest field goal in the Big Ten and second-longest in the FBS this season with a 58-yarder at Iowa as time expired in the first half. It was also the longest field goal in Kinnick Stadium history and the fourth-longest in program history. Kim kicked two of the top six and three of the top nine longest field goals in the Big Ten, with a 53-yarder at Ohio State (11/11) and a 52-yarder vs. Richmond (9/9).

Additionally, Kim has four of the top 15 and five of the top 20 in the conference, adding a 50-yarder vs. Nebraska (11/4) and a 47-yarder in the season opener vs. Central Michigan. He had at least one field goal in nine of the 12 games, part of 13-of-18 for the season, including 6-of-6 on field goals of 30-39 yards, 3-of-5 from 40-49 and 4-of-7 on 50-plus yards with the career-long 58-yarder. The graduate transfer from North Carolina also ranked eighth in the Big Ten in touchbacks (28), along with ranking sixth in the league in touchback percentage (65.12) and seventh in average (62.14). - Michigan State Football

(DS#10 K) rSr/2025

K Jonathan Kim, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - Cal Haladay, rSr/2025, Michigan State, 6-0, 233 (DS#41 ILB) + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION: Cal Haladay,...Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay led the team in tackles for the second consecutive year with 91 (7.6 avg.), tied for seventh most in the Big Ten during the regular season. In addition, he tied for third on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. He has 307 total tackles for his career in 41 games, which ranks 18th in school history. Haladay led the Big Ten in tackles per game last season (10.0 avg.; 120 total). During the third quarter at Iowa on Sept. 30, Haladay tied a school record with the third defensive touchdown of his career as he returned a fumble 42 yards for a scoop-and-score in the third quarter against the Hawkeyes.

He had two interception returns for touchdowns in 2021 (30 yards vs. Indiana and 78 yards vs. Pitt in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl). Haladay is the fourth Spartan in school history to score three defensive touchdowns, joining RJ Williamson (2012-15), Shilique Calhoun (2012-15) and T.J. Turner (1997-2000). This marks the third time Haladay has earned All-Big Ten recognition in his career (honorable mention in 2021; second team in 2022; honorable mention in 2023). - Michigan State Football

(DS#41 ILB) rSr/2025

ILB Cal Haladay, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - Nate Carter, rJr/2025, Michigan State, 5-09, 200 (DS#49 RB) + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION: Nathan Carter,...Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranked seventh in the Big Ten rushing in the regular season, averaging 66.5 yards per game (798 total). He also ranked third in the conference in carries (185) and 15th in all-purpose yards (901; 75.1 ypg), and led the team with four rushing touchdowns. The UConn transfer rushed for 100 yards in three games, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1.

He had 111 yards on 19 carries vs. Richmond in Week 2 and ran for 108 yards on a season-high 20 carries at Iowa in Week 5. Carter became the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2. Carter has rushed for 1,781 yards on 375 carries in his 28-game collegiate career (16 at UConn from 2021-22; 12 at MSU in 2023), including seven rushing touchdowns. - Michigan State Football

(DS#49 RB) rJr/2025

RB Nate Carter, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - Nick Samac, rSr/2024, Michigan State, 6-4, 307 (DS#16 C) + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION: Nick Samac,...Samac, who was named to the Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List, started 32 games in his career while playing in a total 49 games the past five seasons (2019-23). He played a career-high 803 snaps in 2022, most on the Spartan offense, and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. Unfortunately, Samac suffered a season-ending injury in the first half at Indiana on Nov. 18. This marks the second time Samac has picked up honorable mention recognition from the conference in his career. - Michigan State Football

(DS#16 C) rSr/2024

C Nick Samac, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - J.D. Duplain, rSr/2024, Michigan State, 6-3, 300 (DS#40 OG) + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN HONORABLE MENTION: J.D. Duplain,...J.D. Duplain, a native of Strongsville, Ohio, started 42 consecutive games at left guard to close out his Spartan career, the second-longest streak by an offensive lineman in school history (Shane Hannah with 44 from 1991-94). Duplain's 47 starts overall are also second most in MSU history by an offensive lineman (record: Joel Foreman with 49 from 2008-11).

The four-year letterwinner played in a total of 53 career games for the Spartans from 2019-23; he started five games as a true freshman in 2019, then five more during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Duplain started all 13 games in 2021, and all 12 in 2022 and 2023. This marks the third time in his career that Duplain has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades. - Michigan State Football

(DS#40 OG) rSr/2024

OG J.D. Duplain, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - Ryan Eckley, rJr/2026, Michigan State, 6-1, 199 (DS#2 P) + More +

2023 ALL-BIG TEN SECOND TEAM: Ryan Eckley, Michigan State,...Eckley, a native of Lithia, Florida, ranked second in the Big Ten Conference and seventh in the FBS with his 46.8-yard punting average, which was the fifth-longest average in MSU single-season history. Named to the Ray Guy Midseason Award Watch List, Eckley also ranked second in the Big Ten in 50-plus yard punts (23) and punts inside the 20 (24). He also had four punts of 60-plus yards and 15 inside the 10-yard line.

Eckley ended the season on a strong note by pinning at least one inside the 20 in each of the last six games, including 15 punts inside the 20 in the last five games. He saved one of his best performances for last, booming a season-high six punts for 50-plus yards in the regular-season finale vs. Penn State for a 54.0-yard average, including two of 60-plus yards, highlighted by his final punt of the night going for 63 yards. - Michigan State Football

(DS#2 P) rJr/2026

P Ryan Eckley, Michigan State
News Source: Michigan State Football
Share/Comment: Here

12/27/23 - Michael Richard, Jr/2027, Michigan State, 5-10, 185 (DS#35 FS) + More +

2023 CONFERENCE USA FRESHMAN OF THE YEAR: Michael Richard, LA Tech, DB,...LA Tech DB Michael Richard was selected as the CUSA Freshman of the Year after a breakout campaign for the Bulldogs. The New Orleans native appeared in all 12 games for the Bulldogs, making six starts and leading all CUSA freshmen in pass breakups with seven. He totaled 32 tackles with 1.5 TFL and a pair of quarterback hurries. According to Pro Football Focus, he posted an 83.5 coverage grade, which ranked fourth among all CUSA defensive backs and opponents completed just 40 percent of passes (14-35) against him. In addition to his prowess in the secondary, Richard also made an impact on special teams, returning a blocked punt for a touchdown in the season finale against Jax State. - Conference USA Football

(DS#35 FS) Jr/2027

FS Michael Richard, Michigan State
News Source: Conference USA Football
Share/Comment: Here

Previous 15 Notes

|Back to Page One|

Next 15 Notes

Warning: Undefined array key "TeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 56

Warning: Undefined array key "DSTeamID" in D:\InetPub\vhosts\scoutnation.com\draftscout.com\2020rightcolteam.php on line 57

Michigan State Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

** Draft Scout Data **
(Everything Online PLUS)

Support Draft Scout

The Database Engine for NFLDraftScout.com, Draft Scout is being repurposed...Support the Future Development of ScoutNation.com...

Draft Scout Archives

** 2010-2022 Draft Scout Archives **
(Yearly Player Data Exports, Prospect Lists & More)

Draft Scout Future

100% Dedicated and Never Done

80% Innovated

45% Hidden

35% Built

2025 CFB/2025-2029 NFL Draft Scout

2024 CFB/2024-2028 NFL Draft Scout

2023 CFB/2024-2027 NFL Draft Scout

NFL Draft Scout History

2022 Draft Scout

Draft Scout by Conference

2023 Draft Scout Offense

2023 Draft Scout Defense

2022 Draft Scout Offense

2022 Draft Scout Defense

Michigan State Football Videos

Buy Draft Scout Weekly

Support Draft Scout

Draft Scout Archives

Draft Scout Future

Synergization

Did You Know?

Hidden Designs

Future Development