Michigan State enters 2026 with a new head coach, new offensive coordinator, and major offensive turnover after a 4-8 season. Pat Fitzgerald takes over as head coach, and Nick Sheridan arrives as offensive coordinator after previously coaching at Alabama. The Spartans feature a new starting quarterback after Aidan Chiles’ transfer to Northwestern, with returning backup Alessio Milivojevic winning the job. UConn transfer Cam Edwards and Iowa transfer Jaziun Patterson join a rebuilt running back room. Update (Sept. 28): RB Cam Edwards suffered a season-ending knee injury against Nebraska and will miss the remainder of the 2026 season. Update (Oct. 13): RB Jaziun Patterson has taken over as Michigan State’s starting running back following Edwards’ season-ending injury. Michigan State must replace its top three receivers from last season, though Chrishon McCray returns after recording 24 receptions in 2025. Michigan transfer Fredrick Moore and Notre Dame transfer KK Smith join the receiving corps. Jayden Savoury returns at tight end. The offensive line brings back full-time starter Connor Moore after making 12 starts last season and Rakeem Johnson after making four. South Carolina transfer Nick Sharpe joins the group after five starts, while UConn transfer Ben Murawski and North Dakota State transfer Trent Fraley add experience along the line.
Joe Rossi enters his third season as defensive coordinator, but Michigan State returns just two of its top eleven tacklers from last season. Both were full-time starters, with leading tackler Jordan Hall making 12 starts at linebacker and Isaac Smith making 12 at defensive end. Ben Roberts also returns to the defensive line after six starts, while NC State transfer Kenny Soares joins the group after eight. Nikai Martinez returns in the secondary after starting all four games he appeared in last season. Iowa State transfer Tre Bell joins the group after making eight starts in 2025, while Miami transfer Charles Brantley returns to East Lansing for his second stint.
LeVar Woods takes over as special teams coordinator after previously holding the same position at Iowa. Charlotte transfer Liam Boyd joins the program at placekicker, while Iowa transfer Rhys Dakin takes over at punter. Nebraska transfer Kenneth Williams adds an option at kickoff return.
Michigan State enters 2026 with major roster turnover, including a new starting quarterback and nine of last season’s top eleven tacklers no longer on the roster. Edwards’ season-ending injury has created another challenge for the rebuilt offense, with Patterson now taking over as the primary running back.