Michigan States Offensive Line Needs Improvement

Michigan State coach Jonathan Smith and his coaching staff have focused much of their recruiting efforts on rebuilding the offensive line.

Many of the best players Coach Smith and Michigan State have offered scholarships to are offensive linemen. The offensive line is arguably the position that needs the most work as Smith begins his first season at the helm in East Lansing.

The Spartans have one of the worst 2025 recruiting classes and offensive lines in the Big Ten. According to Cody Nagel of 247Sports, Michigan State’s offensive line was the 15th best in the Big Ten entering this season.

Nagle quoted Stephen Brooks of 247Sports: “MSU’s offensive line, a weak spot in the program in recent years, is again a big question mark in 2024. The Spartans must replace four starters from last year and don’t have much experience under their belt. Transfers Tanner Miller and Luke Newman will bolster the unit, but new contributors must emerge. Tackle is the bigger unknown than the interior defense.”

Brooks noted the dire state of Michigan State’s offensive line over the past few seasons. The Spartans only have one offensive lineman back from last season, which could pose a problem for the coaching staff. Smith and his coaching staff have been relentless in their search for players this offseason. They must continue to focus on the offensive line if they hope to have a successful start to the Smith era.

“Can new head coach Jonathan Smith fix Michigan State’s offensive line, which has been broken over the past few years?” Brooks said. “That position group is once again a problem for the Spartans and could lower the ceiling for an offense that has high hopes for returning talent at the skill positions as well as Aidan Chiles, a potential rising star at the quarterback position.

“(Brandon) Baldwin is the only returning starter on the offensive line and controls the left tackle spot. Miller followed Smith from Oregon State, where he earned First Team All-Pac-12 honors and Second Team All-America honors. Newman was an FCS All-American at Holy Cross last season. It’s a lot of new pieces and you can expect everything to fit together smoothly right away.”

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