Key Questions Shaping the 2026 Season
Michigan State football is stepping into a new era as Pat Fitzgerald takes the helm, ushering the program into a season that could redefine its trajectory.
The Spartans have not posted a winning record since 2021, a drought that has left the fan base wary yet hopeful as they look toward 2026.
Coach Fitzgerald inherits a team that finished the previous year ranked No. 86 in total sacks, a statistic that underscores both the need for pressure and the uncertainty surrounding the pass rush.
Key questions loom: will 2026 be a rebuilding year or a genuine title run? Where will the sack production come from? Who will emerge as the leading receiver? Can the offensive line finally shed its reputation as a liability?
The answer to the sack question may rest on Anelu Lafaele, while transfers Keahnist Thompson and Aidan Boehle bring fresh edge talent that could reshape the defensive front.
At receiver, the departure of the three top pass catchers from 2025 opens a vacuum. Chrishon McCray is being considered, though his frame lacks the classic size of a No. 1 option, while freshman Braylon Collier is viewed as a potential breakout star.
The offensive line, which struggled under former coach Jonathan Smith, is receiving a boost from incoming transfers Ben Murawski and Trent Fraley, adding depth and experience.
Freshmen such as Braylon Collier, Samson Gash, Brayden Thomas, Eddie Whiting and KJ Deriso are all expected to contribute, potentially accelerating the team's development.
If the pieces click, the Spartans could move from a modest rebuild to a legitimate contender in the Big Ten, but the margin for error remains thin.