By Jay Berry
The Michigan State Spartans strengthened their offensive line this offseason by signing Conner Moore, a 2024 first-team All-Big Sky award recipient and second-team All-American.
A 2024 Problem
In the 2024 season, Michigan State’s offensive line struggled, primarily due to injuries and a lack of depth; this led to a series of issues, including a high number of sacks allowed (36) and a poor running game, hindering the overall offensive performance.
The offensive line had already faced depth concerns with limited returners. Kristian Phillips, the starting right guard, was lost for the season due to a knee injury after starting against Florida Atlantic. Then Gavin Broscious, who replaced Phillips, was injured in a game against Prairie View A&M.
The Spartans‘ offensive line wasn’t their only weak spot last season, but it did make things even more difficult. They’ve added some new pieces this offseason, including Moore.
“I grew up a Michigan State fan, so that was a huge thing for me,” Moore said after a recent practice. “I thought it was really cool being able to come play for my dream school growing up.”
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Last season, quarterback Aidan Chiles was running for his life, and the run game struggled. Because of that, head coach Jonathan Smith and offensive line/run game coordinator Jim Michalczik have focused on transforming the offensive line.
Moore, who played in 31 games during his time at Montana State, including 28 consecutive offensive line starts, has two years of eligibility remaining. Moore adds versatility with experience playing tackle and guard.
This offseason, the Spartans also hit the portal to add former Wake Forest starting left guard Matt Gulbin, an All-Atlantic Coast Conference honorable mention, Oregon State transfer center/right guard Luka Vincic, and guard Caleb Carter from Western Carolina.
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Michigan State isn’t a stranger to bringing in FCS offensive linemen who played well. One of the bright spots last year was Holy Cross transfer, Luke Newman. According to Pro Football Focus, Newman played every offensive snap last year and was the highest-graded offensive lineman on the team, allowing zero sacks and only nine pressures.
Newman earned an All-Big Ten honorable mention selection for his performance last season. If Conner Moore can perform as well as Newman did, that would be much-needed relief for the East Lansing fans.
The team will wrap up spring practice on April 19th.
According to the Detroit Free Press, the team will not hold a spring game. Smith said renovations inside the stadium are part of the reason, but he also pointed to programs around the country that have ended the public spring football games because of the transfer portal and potential poaching from other programs.
“I think it’s a consideration,” Smith said. “It was not the No. 1 reason why we decided not to do it, but it’s a consideration. Let’s face it, in this day and age where the opportunity for players across the country make decisions come the back half of April, it’s a part of the conversation.”
Michigan State opens the 2025 season at home against Western Michigan on August 30th and begins the Big 10 schedule at Nebraska on October 4th.
