Spartans Who Pat Fitzgerald Should Utilize More in 2026
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The Michigan State Spartans will begin the Pat Fitzgerald era in East Lansing next fall.
MSU needed someone to be a leader in its locker room; someone who understands the Spartan culture. Fitzgerald spent years coaching against MSU during his days at Northwestern.
As Fitzgerald builds his coaching staff and evaluates his roster, he might find players who did not get enough run on last year’s team. He and his new coaches may know how to use those players better than the previous staff did.
Who are some of those Spartans? Let’s identify a few players with unique skill sets who Fitzgerald and his coaching staff should use more next season.
Linebacker Aisea Moa
A player who saw his snaps dwindle as the season progressed, Moa has an intriguing skill set, one that Fitzgerald and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi should deploy more often.
The BYU transfer posted 12 tackles, one for loss, and two passes defended, appearing in all 12 games. Moa is a designated pass-rusher from the linebacker spot, using his quickness and explosiveness to get into the backfield.
As several Spartan linebackers have entered the transfer portal, Moa has a chance to climb the depth chart and be a contributor next season. For a team that struggled to get after the quarterback, Moa should be a player who sees the field more.
Defensive tackle Derrick Simmons
The former four-star out of Frankenmuth, Mich., also saw his snaps decrease throughout his freshman season, but he should be on the field more next year.
He only played in four games last year and made two tackles. Simmons played behind several more experienced defensive linemen, so when Big Ten competition began, there wasn’t a role for him.
Now that some of those players have moved on, Fitzgerald should find more snaps for Simmons. He is a game-wrecking interior defensive lineman for the Spartans, and he has a chance to be a special player with a high ceiling.
Running back Jace Clarizio
The Spartans have seen some departures at the running back position, so the talented redshirt freshman will have the chance to earn a role next season.
Clarizio did not see any game action in 2025, as he was playing behind Makhi Frazier, Brandon Tullis, and Elijah Tau-Tolliver. If MSU does not add a transfer running back, Clarizio will be the backup RB.
With a year under his belt to develop himself physically, Clarizio should earn his first collegiate carries in 2026. He has the chance to be a difference-maker for this MSU offense.
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Carter Landis studied journalism at Michigan State University, where I graduated in May of 2022. He is currently a sports reporter for a local television station and is a writer covering the Michigan State Spartans