Breaking Down Michigan State’s Offensive Skill Positions for 2026

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The Spartans have had to do a lot of overhauling to their 2026 roster. There’s still plenty of time for things to change, position battles to form, and new players to join the mix. The roster is far from finalized, but the projections can start taking shape.

Here, we’ll dive into the offense as a unit, looking at each position group without giving a full 100-page breakdown of every player. That will come in time. For now, we’re simply beginning to examine the roster, get acquainted with the new faces, and reacquaint ourselves with the returning players.

We’ll start with the offensive “skill” positions before moving on to the offensive line, defensive line, linebackers and secondary, special teams, and coaching staff in future articles.

Quarterback

Alessio Milivojevic – RS SO (Projected Starter)

After getting the nod for the final four games of the season, it was easy to see the difference a true quarterback made for this team. While Milivojevic certainly has great scrambling ability, there was a different presence behind the offensive line compared to prior starter Aidan Chiles.

The Spartans’ offense became a functioning unit instead of one that spent every week waiting for Chiles to break out of his shell and turn into Patrick Mahomes. Milivojevic is arguably the most anticipated returning player for Michigan State as he prepares to lead the team once again.

He finished 1-3 as a starter last season but showed tremendous promise. His inexperience and youthfulness place him lower on many Big Ten quarterback rankings, but that seems to fit perfectly with the underdog mentality that new head coach Pat Fitzgerald is preaching on a daily basis.

Other Quarterbacks

  • Cam Fancher – RS SR/TR
  • Leo Hannan – RS FR

Running Back

Cam Edwards – RS SR/TR (Projected Starter)

The former Husky comes to Michigan State alongside standout offensive lineman Ben Murawski from UConn with hopes of putting the Big Ten on notice.

Edwards improved his rushing production every year of his college career, increasing his yardage by at least 35% annually while nearly doubling his touchdown total each season. He exploded onto the scene in his third year, rushing for 1,240 yards on 210 carries while averaging 5.9 yards per carry and finding the end zone 15 times.

The Spartans are expected to lean heavily on their run game, and a large portion of that workload will fall on Edwards’ shoulders. Michigan State is searching for a rusher who can make a similar impact to what Kenneth Walker brought to East Lansing a few years ago.

Fitzgerald has made it clear that he wants his team to win with grit and toughness. That identity starts with a strong offensive line and a running back capable of carrying the offense when needed. Edwards has a chance to become exactly that player.

Other Running Backs

  • Jaziun Patterson – RS SR/TR
  • Brandon Tullis – JR
  • Jay Coyne (Projected Starting Fullback) – RS SR

Wide Receiver

WR-X: Frederick Moore – RS JR/TR (Projected Starter)

The Michigan transfer arrives in East Lansing after not recording any statistics last season and totaling 128 receiving yards the year before. Moore now has an opportunity to show exactly what he can do and prove to the Spartans that it was the Wolverines who missed out on a talented player.

WR-Z: KK Smith – RS JR/TR (Projected Starter)

Transferring from Notre Dame, Smith comes to East Lansing with relatively modest production as well. He totaled 123 receiving yards and two touchdowns last season but flashed the potential that made him a highly regarded prospect.

Smith follows linebackers coach Max Bullough from South Bend to Michigan State and will be looking to prove his worth quickly in green and white.

WR-F: Chrishon McCray – RS SR/TR (Projected Starter)

McCray is the only projected starter in the receiving corps returning to Michigan State. Last season, he recorded 330 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Two of those touchdowns and 75 of those yards came against Iowa with Milivojevic under center. The Spartans will now look to rekindle that connection in 2026 as both players step into larger roles.

Other Wide Receivers

  • Bryson Williams – RS FR
  • Charles Taplin – RS FR
  • Rodney Bullard Jr. – RS SR/TR

Tight End

Brennan Parachek – RS JR (Projected Starter)

Parachek accumulated 118 receiving yards over his first two seasons at Michigan State and was unable to record any statistics last year.

With last season’s starter, Jack Velling, graduating and signing as an undrafted free agent, the Spartans are searching for a new security blanket for Milivojevic. The hope is that Parachek can seize that opportunity and run with it.

The tight end position may not generate the same headlines as quarterback or wide receiver, but having a dependable option in the middle of the field can go a long way toward helping a young quarterback continue his development.

Other Tight Ends

  • Kai Rios – RS SR/TR
  • Carson Gulker – RS SR/TR

As the Spartans continue reshaping the roster under Fitzgerald, the offensive skill positions feature a blend of promising returners and experienced transfers. There are still questions to answer before the season arrives, but there is also plenty of reason for optimism as Michigan State begins building its identity for 2026.

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