Spartan Nation

3 Michigan State Spartans Whose Stock Is Rising After Spring Practice

These Spartans stood out during MSU's open practice on Saturday...

Aedan Mulcrone

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Saturday was a big day for Michigan State athletics. Campus was buzzing from the Izzo Legacy Run, to the baseball and softball game, and finally the Spartan Football Kickoff. The great crowds at every event can only help the Spartans’ efforts in recruiting.

The main event was Michigan State football’s open practice and scrimmage sessions at Spartan Stadium. MSU brought in 20 combined transfers and freshmen in the spring. While these newcomers showed what they can do for the first time in the Green and White, some returning players showed plenty of improvement as well.

Here are three players whose stock is rising after spring practice:

Halfback Jaren Mangham

Nathan Carter has been the running back talked about most this offseason, but the UConn transfer if not the only newcomer in the backfield who could contribute for the Spartans. A downhill runner, South Florida transfer Jaren Mangham showed his power throughout the day.

Michigan State does not have another power back like Mangham on the roster. While Carter and Jalen Berger are faster, Mangham has an easier time running through contact. He can be a vital between the tackles runner, and has shown he can be a threat in 2023. The Spartans need a short-yardage or third-down back after Elijah Collins hit the transfer portal this offseason, and Mangham looks like an upgrade.

In 2021, Mangham had a breakout season for the Bulls, rushing for 671 yards and 15 touchdowns. The graduate transfer was sidelined after just four games in 2022, however, and was limited to just 24 carries for 104 yards and three touchdowns a season ago. Mangham has 23 total touchdowns in his career, which also includes two years spent at Colorado.

The Spartans will try to get Mangham back into that peak 2021 form, while utilizing Carter and Berger in different situations. Michigan State will need quality playing time and carries from Mangham this season to improve a sub-par rushing attack from a year ago.

Quarterback Noah Kim

There’s a reason Noah Kim was the second-string quarterback last season. He continued to show that he has the playmaking ability to compete for the starting job during the scrimmage sessions on Saturday. Kim made two of the best throws of the day, including a touchdown pass to Antonio Gates Jr. to end practice.

Kim led some late game drives last season, a couple of which resulted in touchdowns. The redshirt junior showed he can lead the offense again on Saturday with what he put on display. Whether or not Kim can dethrone Payton Thorne is yet to be determined, but good news for him is that he still has all summer camp to prove that.

As for sophomore Katin Hauser, he also has all summer to compete for the job. He showed flashes in the open practice, but did not stand out the way that Kim did. That doesn’t mean Hauser hasn’t had better days than his fellow competitors this spring, and the redshirt freshman will still compete for the starting job. As the coaches have said throughout spring, expect this three-way quarterback battle to go into late August.

Offensive Guard Geno VanDeMark

Redshirt sophomore Geno VanDeMark was part of the first offensive line group in every practice period. Replacing Brian Greene, VanDeMark got all of his reps at right guard. His third year in the program, VanDeMark is ready to take the next step and solidify himself as the starting guard for the next 2-3 years.

The Spartans need to improve their running game this year, and that starts up front. Returning two O-line starters from last year, and three upperclassmen with plenty of game experience, could be the difference maker. During the inside run period, every single running back was able to burst through for a big run thanks to the push up front.

With spring practice concluded, the coaches and players now have an idea where they are positioned. With the transfer portal re-opening, this gives current players a chance to seek other opportunities if they are buried on Michigan State’s depth chart. But it also provides coaches time to look for more additions.

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Aedan Mulcrone
AEDAN MULCRONE

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