Spring Game Reactions: Payton Thorne-Noah Kim rising, Katin Houser falling back

Michigan State head football coach Mel Tucker declared an "open competition" for the Spartans' 2023 starting quarterback at the beginning of spring practice, and we got our first look at that on-going battle Saturday during the "Spartan Football Kickoff" event in East Lansing.

The general consensus is this: Incumbent starter Payton Thorne looks to be leading the way, while 2022 backup Noah Kim is on his heels. Kim displayed impressive arm talent and accuracy on multiple throws Saturday, but also had a few very poor throws, one of which was nearly intercepted.

Meanwhile, redshirt freshman Katin Houser had a handful of nice plays, but was not given nearly as many reps on Saturday as either Thorne or Kim. Houser missed open receivers on a few occasions throughout the day as well.

Here are more reactions to MSU's quarterback competition based on what was seen on Saturday:

The Detroit Free Press' Chris Solari

The QB pecking order during MSU's practice was clear: Payton Thorne, Noah Kim, Katin Houser. Results when they had opportunities match up to that depth chart projection.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 15, 2023

Tucker on QBs: "We'll continue the competition throughout the summer and the fall camp." Goal was to give guys reps with different groups.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 15, 2023

Spartan Magazine's Paul Konyndyk

Payton Thorne has been the best QB on the field today. I'm not saying other QB's haven't had a good spring or lack talent. Thorne has been rock-solid.
— Paul Konyndyk (@Pkonyndyk) April 15, 2023

Thorne and Kim are the two quarterbacks competing for the starting job at that this point. Houser has made a big jump, but he has ground to make-up.
— Paul Konyndyk (@Pkonyndyk) April 15, 2023

Lansing State Journal's Graham Couch

Make that the best four throws of the day - a perfect deep touchdown pass in stride to Antonio Gates Jr.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) April 15, 2023

Mel Tucker says today’s QB performances were indicative of what they’ve seen throughout the spring, which means MSU is probably looking at a two-man battle for the starting QB nod, Payton Thorne and Noah Kim.
— Graham Couch (@Graham_Couch) April 15, 2023

The Detroit News' Matt Charboneau

NOW we're getting into some ones vs. ones ... Thorne is the QB, Nate Carter at RB
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) April 15, 2023

Houser in with the third team
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) April 15, 2023

BONUS TAKE: Noah Kim is No. 2
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) April 15, 2023

Anyone who watched MSU today and thinks Katin Houser was better than Payton Thorne and Noah Kim isn’t a serious person.
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) April 15, 2023

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