EAST LANSING – The next time Michigan State football takes the field at Spartan Stadium, everything becomes real.
But before the Aug. 29 opener against Western Michigan, there remains work to be done and healing to happen. And the Spartans’ second and final preseason scrimmage helped deliver Jonathan Smith and his staff a little more clarity as they turn from camp mode into game preparation focus.
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“Got a lot of hard work in, and it’s getting closer,” Smith said Monday, Aug. 18, of Saturday’s 100-play scrimmage. “It’s getting closer to game time. Still, we want to take advantage of the next less than two weeks here with practices and all that, but I’m pleased with where we’re at.”
Smith gave a little insight into one of the Spartans’ big personnel questions, pointing to sophomores Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier taking the lead in the battle at running back ahead of transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver and freshmen Jace Clarizio and Zion Gist.
Michigan State football head coach Jonathan Smith looks on during practice on Monday, Aug. 11, 2025, in East Lansing.
“Those two guys, Makhi and Brandon in the backfield carrying the ball, those guys stepped up and played really well,” Smith said. “The (offensive) line, we played I think eight or nine different guys in different groups with the (first- and second-team offense). It was good to see.”
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Smith said the position movement along the offensive line has shifted more to swapping tackles and guards to either side of the ball rather than moving them around inside and out. Stanton Ramil is playing predominantly at left tackle, with transfer Conner Moore and returning starter Ashton Lepo moving between right and left along with redshirt freshman Rustin Moore. On the interior, Gavin Broscious and Kristian “Big Dooley” Phillips, both returning from season-ending knee injuries from a year ago, are being shuffled back and forth with transfers Luka Vincic and Caleb Carter on either side of fellow newcomer Matt Gulbin at center. Redshirt freshman Rakeem Johnson, Smith said, has flexed his versatility by working at all five spots, while Cooper Terpstra also has worked at center behind Gulbin.
“All those guys are in the mix,” Smith said.
Wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins said the offensive performance of the second scrimmage might have been the biggest leap from the first one the previous Saturday.
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“I just think the offense overall, the energy,” Hawkins said. “My group, we made some plays downfield. There was some opportunities to make some plays. I felt like we played faster in this scrimmage, we had less (missed assignments) also. It was good.
“When we left the field Saturday, guys had a smile on their face and with some positive energy. I’d say the first scrimmage, we left off the field and some guys had their heads down, guys were pissed about performance overall as an offense. But we made some strides this past weekend.”
Smith said his players have “some bumps and bruises” but no season-ending injuries. Returning starting safety Nikai Martinez, Smith said, might miss the opener with an undisclosed injury issue. The second-year coach added that tight end Jack Velling returned to get some full-team reps in Monday’s wrap-up practice of camp, and the Spartans will get two days off before returning to work Thursday to start prepping for the Broncos (7 p.m./FS1)..
At kicker, Smith said redshirt freshman Martin Connington and sophomore Tarik Ahmetbasic “have been pretty limited.” That has left Dexter product Blake Sislo handling field goals and kickoffs, though the fifth-year senior transfer did not play football last season and never got into a game in three years at Division II Davenport.
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“Tarik’s getting closer,” Smith said. “He did some light kicking (Monday), and so by the end of the week, we feel he be closer. Martin might be a little bit longer.”
Smith said he expects to play more than two cornerbacks on defense and expects the first few games to help the staff evaluate the best fits in the secondary, particularly if Martinez is to miss time. Justin Denson and Armorion Smith are working at strong safety alongside starter Malik Spencer with the absence of Martinez.
“I think the competition in that group and probably a couple others will continue through Game 1 and Game 2,” he said. “We’ll rotate and get guys in. Obviously, execution in the game is going to be a great way to be able evaluate the ability to be in the right spot, contest at corner and make plays, get guys on the ground and tackle.”
That last area, in particular, Smith felt about the performance of coordinator Joe Rossi’s defense in both scrimmages. However, Smith said his rush ends likely will battle for snaps into the season opposite defensive ends Jalen Thompson and Quindarius Dunnigan but added his defense “got to the quarterback a few times” in Saturday’s scrimmage.
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“We don’t get to tackle that much,” Smith said of the overall defensive performance, “and they took full advantage of it.”
Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him @chrissolari.
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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan State football: Offense shines, defense tackles in scrimmage
