East Lansing, Mich.–Michigan Statetook the field Tuesday morning for itsfirst fall practiceof the 2024 season. Heading intoJonathan Smith’sfirst season in charge, the Spartans enter fall camp with excitement.
Michigan State’sroster and coaching staff underwent a significant overhaul this offseason. Tuesday marked the media’s first opportunity to get their eyes on the team’s new summer additions.
Sophom*ore QB Aidan Chiles
Although Aidan Chiles arrived in the winter and participated in spring ball, but all eyes are understandably still on the quarterback through fall camp. The quarterback threw for 309 yards (24-for-35) and four touchdowns with zero interceptions at Oregon State in 2023 as a true freshman. Like the fanbase, Spartan players and coaches are eagerly waiting to see what Chiles can do this fall.
Sixth-year DL D’Quan Douse
Like Chiles, Douse arrived at Michigan State during the winter and completed spring ball with the Spartans. Douse is expected to have a large role at defensive tackle this fall. He has one season of eligibility remaining, logging 69 tackles, including 8.5 for a loss, and 5 .5 sacks in his career with Georgia Tech.
Redshirt sophom*ore DL Ben Roberts
Redshirt sophom*ore defensive tackle Ben Roberts will look to make an impact this fall, transferring in from Oregon this summer. Roberts (6-2, 321) played in nine games for Oregon over the previous two seasons. He will look to provide valuable depth at the defensive tackle position in 2024, with some work to do on his body this camp.
Redshirt junior DL Jalen Satchell
Defensive tackle transfer Jalen Satchell will look to make an impact in providing depth this fall. Satchell (6-1, 283) joined the Spartans this summer with two years of eligibility remaining as he spent the 2023 season at Old Dominion. Satchell has played more than 700 snaps on the defensive line.
Redshirt senior CB Ed Woods
Redshirt senior cornerback Ed Woods joins the Spartans after spending four seasons at Arizona State. Woods (6-0, 181) played in 33 games for the Sun Devils, including 12 starts. He logged 66 tackles, five for a loss, ten pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and one interception during his time with the Sun Devils.
Junior DB Nikai Martinez
Junior safety Nikai Martinez enrolled in East Lansing this summer with two years of eligibility remaining. Martinez (5-11, 191) played in 27 career games for Central Florida, logging 75 tackles, three for a loss, three interceptions, and three pass breakups. He has played more than 1,000 defensive snaps for UCF in the previous two seasons.
Redshirt junior DB Lejond Cavazos
Redshirt junior defensive back Lejond Cavazos also joined the spartans this summer as he will look to provide depth in the safety room. Cavazos has played in 24 career games, beginning his career playing 12 games for Ohio State in 2021. He transferred to North Carolina where he played in 11 games as a redshirt sophom*ore. Cavazos battled injuries in 2023 keeping him from the field, as he looks to get back on the field in East Lansing this fall.
Sophom*ore DB Jeremiah Hughes
Sticking in the defensive backfield Michigan State sophom*ore Jeremiah Hughes will be an interest name to follow this fall. Hughes has three seasons of eligibility remaining as he played in all 13 games for LSU as a true freshman in 2023. Hughes (6-, 200) played 179 snaps on special teams and 39 at cornerback for LSU as a true freshman.
Freshman OL Payton Stewart
Michigan State true freshman offensive tackle Payton Stewart will go through his first set of practices as he arrived in late June. Stewart (6-7, 270) was committed to offensive line coach Jim Michalczik and Jonathan Smith during their time at Oregon State, following them to East Lansing. Stewart was a multi-sport athlete, arriving in the summer in order to finish out his high school basketball season.
Freshman OL Rustin Young
True freshman Rustin Young is also entering his first set of practices as he also enrolled in June. Young, like Stewart, followed Michalczik and Smith to East Lansing, coming from Honolulu (HI). Young (6-5, 275) was selected as an Under Armour All-American in 2023, rated as the No. 1 recruit in Hawaii.
Freshman DL Mikeshun Beeler
Freshman defensive tackle Mikeshun Beeler enrolled with the Spartans in the summer as well. Beeler, of Chicago (IL), was a late addition to the Spartan 2024 recruiting class. Listed as 6-foot-3, 260-pounds, Beeler has a strong frame for a true freshman.
Freshman DL Kekai Burnett
Freshman WR Austin Clay
Freshman DB Andrew Brinson
