WATCH: Mel Tucker talks new additions to coaching staff, recruiting department

Michigan State's head football coach spoke at length ahead of the Spartans' final week of spring practice...

Author:
Matthew Lounsberry
Publish date:
Apr 13, 2023 9:33 PM EDT

In this story:

Michigan State is about to wrap up spring football practice with its 'Spartan Football Kickoff' event this Saturday at Spartan Stadium.

Head coach Mel Tucker met with the media to discuss a variety of topics ahead of the final week of spring practice. That press conference can be viewed in its entirety below.

For specific topics, look to the guide below the video.

Press Conference Topic Guide:

0:00 — Inviting fans to 'Spartan Football Kickoff', notes that coaching staff is reasserting core principles of the program this spring
1:30 — Spring game format, open practice w/ scrimmaging, other events happening on campus
3:00 — Added offensive line depth has allowed MSU to get more done this spring, notes the differences from 2022
5:00 — Takeaways from 2nd team scrimmage last Saturday, minor update on quarterback battle
6:15 — What went in to Tucker's decision for an open practice on Saturday, rather than a traditional spring game. Notes limited depth along D-line.
7:55 — Comments on new D-line coach Diron Reynolds
10:45 — Comments on new cornerbacks coach Jim Salgado
13:22 — What does Tucker want to see from his team during Saturday's open practice/scrimmaging.
16:18 — Discusses the departures within MSU Football's recruiting department, how he wants the Spartans to recruit moving forward.
18:49 — Weighing the "upside" of younger players vs. the "experience" of older players in position battles.
20:35 — Discussing the youth and talent in Michigan State's secondary
21:47 — On the proposal of playing outside opponents for spring games in the future
23:30 — How MSU has implemented "injury prevention" techniques this spring, and how that has fared thus far.
28:09 — On MSU's suspended players from U-M tunnel incident have reintegrated back into the team this spring
29:53 — How mid-year transfer enrollees Nathan Carter (running back), Tunmise Adeleye (Defensive Line) and Jaren Mangham have looked this spring