Michigan State University football coach Jonathon Smith observes his Spartan gridders, Tuesday, July 29, 2025, during the first day of football practice at the Skandalaris Football Center. Matthew Dae Smith/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

What Will Be Most Improved Area for MSU?

Originally posted on Michigan State Spartans on SI
By Aidan Champion | Last updated Aug 23, 2025 11:30 AM ET

Michigan State has several areas it needs have improved on when it welcomes Western Michigan to town next week to kick off its 2025 season.

Some of the more notable flaaws in the Spartans' game last year was the rush, red-zone offense, ball protection, blocking up front and the run game.

Which of these areas is going to be the most crucial for the Spartans to be success this season? Our Aidan Champion discusses it on this latest epiosde of the Michigan State Spartans Insider Podcast.

You can watch below:

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith also spoke to reporters on Monday. Below is a partial transcript:

Jonathan Smith

Opening Statement:

Smith: "Good work this morning. We're pleased with what we got done today, and now, we're going to transition really into game prep, so training camp kind of concluding. Pleased with it. I thought we, obviously, got a lot of hard work in and getting closer to game time. Still want to take advantage of the next less than two weeks here of practices and all of that. But pleased with where we're at."

Q: Where are you at with health?

Smith: "Feeling like we're in a solid space there (with health). Again, I'll let you know if anything is season(-ending). We've definitely got some bumps, bruises going through camp that way. (Jack) Velling today, getting some reps in team period. He looked ready to continue to go. Did some more there.

"Nikai (Martinez), potentially, Game 1, might be out. We'll see where that goes. But we're feeling pretty healthy."

Q: How many positions got clarity from the scrimmage, and how many are still competitions?

Smith: "There's still some competition, and in a good way. I mean, we just feel like we've got some depth and we've got a position group or two that we got more than -- whatever it is -- two starters, wanting to get guys in. I think the running back room, I felt the run game was better on Saturday. So, we were pleased with that.

"Brandon (Tullis) had some good carries. Really all of them -- Makhi (Frazier) ran it really well, caught the ball in the backfield well. So, we were pleased with that room. That would be a particular one where you can see multiple guys back there."

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