Stephen Brooks

1 week ago | 247sports.com | Stephen Brooks

Even without a permanent athletic director currently in place, Michigan State football was able to get its season-opener moved up to Friday night. The Spartans will begin their 2026 campaign at 7 p.m. Aug. 29 at home against Western Michigan, the program announced Thursday. FS1 is airing the first game of head coach Jonathan Smith's second season in East Lansing. The game was previously scheduled for Aug.

1 week ago | 247sports.com | Stephen Brooks

Before official visits get rolling this weekend and dominate the conversation around Michigan State football, Spartan Tailgate beat writer Stephen Brooks spent some time Wednesday answering questions on the Shaw Lane VIP Board from our VIP subscribers. A recap of that discussion is below:From QuakeNBake8What position group do you think will surprise this year and what position group do you think might disappoint? Brooks: I've got faith the tight ends will take a step forward.

1 week ago | 247sports.com | Stephen Brooks

There's no turning back now. Jase Richardson is officially staying in the 2025 NBA Draft pool. Michigan State's standout freshman did not pull his name out of the draft by the midnight Wednesday deadline, and so he'll move forward with his intentions to become the Spartans' first draft pick since 2022. Widely projected as a first-round pick, Richardson announced he was entering the draft on April 8. The 2025 draft runs June 25-26.

1 week ago | 247sports.com | Stephen Brooks

Jase Richardson put himself on the NBA's radar over the second half of his freshman season at Michigan State, when he took on an increased role in the offense and, eventually, a place in the starting five. After beginning the year as a quality bench guard, he developed into the most important scorer on a team that won the Big Ten and reached the Elite 8. On April 8, Richardson announced he was cashing in on that spotlight and declaring for the NBA Draft.

1 week ago | 247sports.com | Stephen Brooks

Michigan State football last month had its NFL Draft streak extended to three years with the Chicago Bears' sixth-round selection of offensive lineman Luke Newman. The transfer from Holy Cross was the only Spartan to hear his name called in the 2025 draft, though several others quickly received looks as undrafted free agents. Will the program make it four years in a row next spring? Pro Football Focus believes it will, but the margin is narrow.