247’s Josh Pate cautiously optimistic for Jonathan Smith, MSU in Year 1

There’s a ton of excitement around East Lansing as head coach Jonathan Smith conducts his first spring practice session with Michigan State football.

Although the Spartans have suffered back-to-back losing seasons for the first time since the John L. Smith era, this program experienced enough success during the decade and a half prior for everyone to know what MSU football is capable of achieving. Likewise, Smith has proven himself as a program builder, going 18-7 in his final two seasons at Oregon State after a 16-28 mark in Years 1-4 with the Beavers.

Smith’s rebuild at Michigan State is just one of several intriguing new hires throughout the sport, which 247Sports’ college football podcast host Josh Pate dove into on the latest episode of Late Kick w/ Josh Pate. On the podcast, Pate laid out his expectations for Smith in Year 1 with the Spartans.

"I think there's probably more than a year's worth of rebuild that has to go on there,” Pate said of Michigan State. “The reason that I'm hesitant is cause I've seen Jonathan Smith with an undermanned roster before beating teams he has no business beating. And, he was probably not as good at quarterback with those teams as he potentially could be with [Oregon State transfer Aidan] Chiles."

Adding Chiles was a massive win for Smith and his new staff, and the former four-star quarterback should give the Spartans at least a puncher’s chance to exceed expectations in Year 1. Michigan State added several other transfers who could make an impact in 2024, including tight end Jack Velling, offensive guard Tanner Miller, linebacker Jordan Miller and others.

Still, Pate believes there is more transfer portal potential for Smith and his staff to unlock in East Lansing, and believes getting Michigan State’s NIL capabilities up to snuff will be a big key towards unlocking that potential.

"I think it may have taken that staff a little while, and is still taking them a little while, to fully get their hands around the portal and how to properly construct an NIL machine and strategy,” Pate said. “That's not an overnight thing, but I think they're committed to doing it and Michigan State has way more money than most of America realizes they have."

Michigan State’s expected over/under win total is set at 5.5 wins, according to FanDuel sportsbook. The Spartans will host their “Spring Showcase” on April 20 to conclude spring practice, and open with Florida Atlantic on Aug. 31 at Spartan Stadium.

Josh Pate's full segment on first-year head coach expectations can be viewed below:

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