Filling the Tight End Void at MSU
New head coach Pat Fitzgerald inherits a Spartan squad reshaping its offense after the departures of veteran tight ends Jack Velling and Michael Masunas. Last season, Velling and Masunas doubled as reliable blockers on a shaky offensive line and sneaky receiving threats—a duo that masked deeper protection issues. With both gone, Michigan State must decide who steps up against high expectations on the line and in the passing game. Incoming and returning personnel face a learning curve: balancing subtle play-action misdirection with raw blocking grunt. If the new tight ends can’t match last year’s production, MSU’s offense may go from surprise weapon to predictable liability.
Brace yourselves, Spartan fans, for a tight end carousel that makes your offense look like a kid’s merry-go-round. Once you depended on two blocking giants who moonlighted as secret wide receivers; now you’ll get a mixed bag of hopefuls who might trip over their own shoelaces. If the new TE duo can’t protect the QB, you’ll know why “hold the line” became “hold your breath.” But hey, maybe defenses will ignore them entirely—until one sneaky touchdown catches everyone napping. It’s like betting on a squirrel to win a Formula 1 race, but who doesn’t love an underdog?
Meet Eli Coenen: MSU’s New Trench Titan
Eli Coenen, a 6’6”, 287-pound transfer from Illinois (and former D-II standout at Bemidji State), moves in to shore up Michigan State’s interior defensive line. With two seasons of eligibility left, Coenen combines surprising athleticism with untapped upside in a position of urgent need. He logged 222 snaps for Illinois—posting 12 tackles and 1.5 sacks—and figures to step into a key rotational role behind veteran Ben Roberts. Depth behind them remains thin, meaning Coenen’s performance could make or break MSU’s run defense in 2026.
Congratulations, Eli—MSU’s turning to you like a rookie magician called on to pull a submarine out of a hat. You went from D-II redshirt to Big Ten big shot, and now all eyes are on your 287 pounds of projectable muscle. Sure, the depth chart past you resembles a clearance bin: Kevlar vests for sale! But hey, if you can’t hold the fort, someone will just pinch-hit a linebacker in your spot. No pressure, champ—just the weight of Spartan rushing yards on your shoulders. Break a sweat!
Moneyball Week 1: Spartans’ Freshmen Feast
In the Moneyball Pro-Am at Holt High, three Spartans stole the show. Freshman Julius Avent surpassed his low recruiting ranking with 30 and 40-point outings, showcasing paint dominance and deep range. Jasiah Jervis erupted for 44 in an OT loss, proving the Spartans missed his scoring punch last season. And returning star Jeremy Fears Jr. displayed renewed explosiveness, flashing dunks and improved quickness after an NBA draft flirtation. This early showcase hints at a deep, versatile Michigan State roster ready to challenge for Final Four contention.
Ah, Moneyball: where anonymous summer scrimmages become next-level hype machines. Julius Avent, once the forgotten freshman, now looks like a walking billboard: “4-star? More like 4-alarm!” Jasiah Jervis spent Week 1 reminding everyone MSU missed an entire cheat code last year. And Jeremy Fears Jr. decided to dunk so hard he redefined “getting back in shape.” Honestly, this Pro-Am is the only reality show college basketball fans need—complete with surprise heroes, underdog origin arcs, and the occasional alley-oop cliffhanger. Tune in next week to see who leaks onto the NCAA radar!
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