MSU Football Adds Kicker with Big Leg to 2026 Class
In this story:
Michigan State football has added another kicker to its 2026 roster.
The Spartans landed the commitment of 2026 high school prospect Stephen Gonzales, who announced his decision on Sunday night. Gonzales is from Monroe, N.C., and is ranked by Kohl's Kicking as the fourth-best kicker in his class.
100% committed to Michigan State! 🟢⚪️
— Stephen Gonzales (@StephenGon30054) January 19, 2026
All glory to God! Thank you coach @LeVarWoods and @coachfitz51 for this incredible opportunity to play for @MSU_Football!💚 #Committed
#GoGreen #SpartanNation
@DanOrnerKicking @MattWogan6 @_MasonSledge @CardinalPrideFB pic.twitter.com/z8OoLnq2H1
Gonzales' commitment now gets two different kickers on MSU's roster for this coming season. Michigan State also added Charlotte transfer Liam Boyd from the transfer portal. The Spartans did lose 2025 starter Martin Connington, as he transferred to Kansas. Spartans Illustrated also reported that backup Tarik Ahmetbasic is in the transfer portal as well.
What stands out about Gonzales is his leg and ability to make long field goals already. He's already hit a 57-yarder during game action as a high schooler. For the record, there have only been five field goals made from 57+ in MSU's entire program history, and only one since the 1990s. Given that Boyd's career-long in college is only 42 yards, Gonzales immediately being the Spartans' long-range specialist wouldn't be stunning.
MSU's New Special Teamers
New Michigan State special teams coordinator LeVar Woods arrived from his very long stint at Iowa and has quickly changed the makeup of the Spartans' special teams units. MSU's special teams units have underperformed lately, which is partially why Pat Fitzgerald likely went out and got Woods, who is maybe the best STC in college football. Woods also received the "Assistant Head Coach" label and has an average salary of $1.2 million over the next three years.
There is much more to special teams than just going out and obtaining good specialists, but Woods has still done a solid job of filling in those spots and encouraging healthy competition. He added Boyd from the transfer portal at kicker, brought Iowa punter transfer Rhys Dakin with him to East Lansing, and also brought in Oregon long snapper transfer Nick Duzansky on Sunday as well.
Work has been done on the high school recruiting trail beyond Gonzales. Woods and Michigan State landed 2026 long snapper Trey Serauskis, the No. 2 player at his position on the 247Sports Composite, on Friday.
Woods has also taken a good look at the return game. Nebraska transfer Kenneth Williams, a kick return specialist, committed to the Spartans on Saturday. Williams averaged more than 30 yards per return this past season, scoring one touchdown and becoming an All-Big Ten Second-Team honoree by the media.
Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on MSU's addition of Gonzales when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.
Never again miss one major story related to your beloved Spartans when you sign up for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes straight to your email with the latest news. SIGN UP HERE NOW
A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
Follow jacobcotsonika