5 Most Interesting Things Jay Johnson Said, Michigan State Spring Practice
Michigan State football began its third of five weeks of spring practice on Tuesday, and quarterbacks coach/offensive coordinator Jay Johnson met with the media to discuss a variety of topics about what he's seen out of the Spartans so far.
Here are four quotes from Johnson that stood out the most:
1.) "After the scrimmage on Saturday, I think they're all within a rep or two, those top three guys between Payton, Katin and Noah. I'm moving them around sometimes because I need certain guys to get certain plays that they maybe haven't seen...We do a lot of situational things in our practice, and I need to see those guys under those different environments. So far, it's been positive. Those guys are competing well."
Unsurprisingly, the first thing that Johnson was asked about was the ongoing quarterback competition that is underway in East Lansing. Johnson said that Payton Thorne, Katin Houser and Noah Kim have all split and gotten equal reps so far this spring, so this is certainly a three-person race as of now.
Johnson went on to note that Thorne has an edge in repetition and game day experience, and that his knowledge of the game is at a high level. Johnson said that Thorne's focus this spring has been on technique and fundamentals, and went on to praise the redshirt senior's command and poise.
As for Kim, a redshirt junior, Johnson called "very solid" and noted that he brings an added element with his dual-threat ability as a runner. Johnson said that Kim needs to clean up his technique and fundamentals, as well as identifying what he's seeing from the defense. Johnson said that Kim has good timing in the pocket.
Finally, Johnson noted that Houser has been in the offense for a little over a year now and said the redshirt freshman "took a big step" during Saturday's team scrimmage. Johnson said the game is slowing down for the young quarterback now that Houser has a better grasp on the offense. Johnson noted the freshman's arm talent, and said the rest of his game is starting to catch up to that arm talent.
It does seem like this is a battle that will come down to Thorne's experience vs. Houser's talent and upside, but with Kim getting equal reps you can't count him out either. Johnson said there's no timetable on when Michigan State will choose its starting quarterback. The Spartans may have a better idea of the pecking order at the end of spring practice, but this is a battle that will likely carry into fall camp.
2.) "We are a completely different team than what we were a year ago. [Due to injuries] we had like six or seven O-linemen. Now, we have 19 and some really good players...We feel like we're getting some really good, quality work in. So, to me, it's night and day. We're light years ahead of where we were last year."
It sounds like Michigan State is getting more out of its spring practice this season than it was able to last year. The Spartans' offense was hamstrung by injuries and recovering players along the offensive line at this time last year, and it limited what they were able to work on in the spring.
Now, Michigan State has more available bodies up front, and it's helped both sides of the ball get more and better quality reps this spring. A lot of this could be considered "coach speak", but it does stand to reason that the added depth would have a major factor on the work MSU is able to put in this spring.
Johnson noted that the Spartans utilized about 10 offensive lineman during the 2021 season due to their depth, and that's where he hopes MSU to be this fall with younger guys like Dallas Fincher, Kevin Wigenton and Ethan Boyd, as well as newcomer Keyshawn Blackstock.
3.) "I've been very pleased with some of the newcomers [at running back]."
Michigan State has open competition at many more spots than quarterback ahead of the 2023 season, and another important one will be at tailback.
Johnson noted that Jordan Simmons and Davion Primm have been in the system for a while, and called them "steady horses". But the offensive coordinator spent more time talking about MSU's incoming running backs: Nathan Carter and Jaren Mangham (South Florida).
Johnson said that Carter is still transitioning into the new scheme, but that the UConn transfer's skillset shows up when he's got the ball, and that he's been good in pass protection. On Mangham, Johnson noted that he's a bigger-bodied tailback who has shown good things.
"You need to see them do different types of runs to see how they handle those types of runs and what their vision is like," Johnson said. "It's going to be a good race with all those guys."
Michigan State had one of the worst rush offenses in the country last season, and while a lot of that falls on the offensive line, the Spartans still need to find a tailback rotation that produces better results than we saw a year ago.
4.) "I'm very excited. He's off to a tremendous start this spring. He's had a great first seven days, and I expect huge things from Keon. And I think he expects it and I think our team expects it, and I think he's okay with that expectation."
As much fun as it would have been to see Keon Coleman in a basketball uniform again this past winter, it sounds like the Spartan wide receiver made a wise choice to focus on football.
Coleman was been a full participant in Michigan State's strength and conditioning program during winter workouts and that has translated on the field already in spring practice.
The Spartans need Keon Coleman to be their No. 1 weapon this fall and to draw a lot of attention from opposing defenses. That will open up MSU's other receivers, as well as help the Spartans run the ball more effectively.
