Key Quotes: Which Michigan State players are impressing during fall camp?
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith spoke to the media after practice Monday morning. He offered some interesting tidbits about several new pieces on the Spartan roster.
Michigan State tight ends coach Brian Wozniak, veteran linebacker Darius Snow and new tight end Jack Velling also offered several player development updates of their own.
In this article, SpartanMag takes a look at some of the key quotes from Smith, Wozniak, Snow and Velling that provide an inside look at the development of several Michigan State players during fall camp.
True freshmen making noise
Defensive tackle Mikeshun Beeler
Michigan State added Chicago-area defensive tackle Mikeshun Beeler late in the 2024 recruiting cycle, as the program had a pressing need for young defensive tackles. It’s very early in Beeler’s career, but the defensive tackle has already earned some high praise during his first few months on campus.
“(Beeler), that guy is a monster,” Wozniak said when asked about standouts on the defensive line. “I mean, an absolute, utter monster.”
Beeler’s development will be something to monitor, as he could be next in line for a key role after the graduation of sixth-year seniors Maverick Hansen and D’Quan Douse, the latter of whom joined the team in December and is expected to play a large role in 2024.
Linebacker Brady Preztlaff
Snow on Monday was asked about fellow linebackers who have impressed him to this point in fall camp. While linebacker is likely the deepest position on this year’s roster, Snow was quick to give props to a true freshman with his answer.
“I think everyone has impressed in their own ways,” Snow said. “In the scrimmage specifically, Brady Pretzlaff, I thought he had a great day. I mean, he had an interception on his first play. I thought he had a great day.”
Velling also spoke about the linebacker room and the matchups that have given him trouble in camp.
“Me and Wayne Matthews were going at it in the last scrimmage a little bit,” Vellin said. “Cal (Haladay’s) always there, Jordan Turner, Jordan Hall, all those guys, they’re really looking good. Young guys, Brady Pretzlaff had a nice interception. But the linebacker room’s really good. D-Snow, we’re always going at it. It’s great going against all those guys.”
Offensive lineman Rakeem Johnson
Michigan State offensive lineman Rakeem Johnson joined the team in the summer, as he finished out his high school track and field season in the spring. Johnson won the Idaho 4A state championship in shot put as a senior, breaking the discus state record in the process.
“Rakeem Johnson, a true freshman, has had a bunch of good snaps,” Smith said when asked about the offensive line. “(He’s) athletic.”
When asked for more about the true freshman, Smith expanded.
“Explosion, athleticism,” Smith said. “And he has picked up the scheme. Jim (Michalczik) is pushing him. He is playing a couple of spots. So understanding the playbook, then the communication it takes, let alone the technique and all that, he’s done a really nice job.”
Wide receiver Nick Marsh
Michigan State freshman Nick Marsh garnered some buzz following a standout performance in the Spring Showcase back in April. Marsh will likely find a role in the Spartan offense as a true freshman, as Smith mentioned him again Monday afternoon.
“Nick Marsh made a couple of plays, which I guess now you start to expect out of him,” Smith said when asked about the standouts from last Saturday’s scrimmage.
Defensive back Andrew Brinson
Like Marsh, freshman defensive back Andrew Brinson also enrolled early, arriving in East Lansing back in December. Smith pointed to the young defensive back as a player who delivered a strong performance in Saturday’s scrimmage.
“Andrew Brinson made a nice play on a deep ball, deflecting that,” Smith said.
Defensive end Kekai Burnett
Hawaii defensive end Kekai Burnett joined the team in the summer, and he is apparently on track in his development to this point in his first fall camp. Wozniak has noticed Burnett make plays as his tight ends work to block the young defensive end during practice.
“Freshman-wise, it’s kind of cool to see Kekai make some plays,” Wozniak said.
Returning Michigan State players taking a jump
Tight ends Michael Masunas and Ademola Faleye
Masunas has stood out in camp, according to Wozniak. Masunas (6-5, 258) is entering his third season with the Spartan program after playing in nine games in 2023, mostly on special teams. He redshirted the 2022 season.
Masunas is competing with true sophomore Brennan Parachek for second-string reps behind Velling in the tight end room. Michigan State coaches have high hopes for both Masunas and Parachek.
“I think Michael has had as solid of a camp as anybody offensively,” Wozniak said. “He is playing really, really well. He’s just so steady, so smart. When he makes a mistake, he’s the one who knows it first.
“I love what he’s doing, particularly in the run game, but he is not a one-trick pony. He can do some stuff in the pass game.”
Masunas’ development is not unique to fall camp, as Wozniak said the tight end “surprised” him in the spring.
“The way he plays and the way he goes about it, I was really really intrigued with (that) in the spring, and he’s continued that,” Wozniak said. “He’s just so solid in everything he does. He just gets it. He gets leverage, he gets coverage, he gets defense, he gets offense. It’s just fun to have a guy like that. Then you can speak the 401 class and not the 101 class to him.”
Velling also gave props to the redshirt sophomore during his media session.
“Mike looks great,” Velling said. “In spring ball when we saw him, he looked fantastic and he’s kind of taken the next step. He’s feeling more comfortable with the playbook and he’s flying around. He’s looking awesome. Blocking, catching, whatever it is, he’s looking great.”
Snow has gotten used to matching up with Michigan State’s tight ends during fall camp, and he was quick to point to Velling as a standout. Snow also highlighted Masunas and Ademola Faleye.
“Personally, in my opinion, I think Jack (Velling) is the best tight in the country,” Snow said. “I think Mola is a sleeper. A lot of people are sleeping on him. He has an opportunity to be a great player. (Michael) Masunas is a great blocker. He has solid hands.”
Wozniak also mentioned Faleye as a player who has made significant strides this offseason.
“Mola is flashing every day,” Wozniak said. “He is playing a lot better. He’s just playing more confident. I think he is feeling 6-7, 250, versus what he was last year. (Faleye) is confident with his hands.”
Rush end Khris Bogle
Several Michigan State players and coaches have highlighted Bogle’s progress throughout fall camp. Wozniak referred to him on Monday as a disruptor during practice.
“I think Bogle has taken a step,” Wozniak said. “He’s just so long and athletic and he’s not afraid to be physical.”
Incoming transfers also garnering buzz
Defensive end Quindarius Dunnigan
Dunnigan joined Michigan State in the winter ahead of his sixth season of college football. He’s expected to play a large role on the Spartan defensive line in 2024. He spent his first five seasons with Middle Tennessee State, and he continues to impress during Michigan State’s fall camp.
“Q shows up a ton,” Wozniak said. “He’s a really good, long player that plays with really good instincts. What those guys do defensively, they switch up enough on you to where it’s not always going to be that one look. (Bogle and Dunnigan) have probably been the biggest two guys to show up (at defensive end).”
Safety Nikai Martinez
Martinez, who is expected to play a large role at safety this fall, had an interception in Saturday’s scrimmage. Martinez played over 1,000 snaps on defense for Central Florida over the previous two seasons.
“I think Nikai, he is doing a great job,” Snow said. “He has made a few plays, flexing some range. He has shown his range and done really, really well.”
Offensive lineman Luke Newman
Newman joined the program in the summer after a productive four-year career with Holy Cross. He will now move up a level and is expected to earn a starting job.
“Luke Newman is doing a nice job at guard,” Smith said when asked about the offensive line. “That’s a nice addition we didn’t have in the spring.”
Michigan State’s head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during camp on Monday, Aug. 5, 2024, at the indoor practice facility in East Lansing – Nick King, USA TODAY Sports
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