ANGELO GROSE

ANN ARBOR – Four Michigan State football players charged with misdemeanor assault for their roles in a postgame tunnel incident at Michigan are in line to have the charges dropped. They were among those who were captured on video striking Michigan defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows. We wish all parties involved well.”Brown, Grose, White and Wright are among seven Michigan State players who were charged for their roles following the loss at Michigan. Linebacker/defensive end Jacoby Windmon was charged with misdemeanor assault and battery and defensive end Zion Young was charged with misdemeanor aggravated assault. Jones wasn’t charged and was reinstated before the Spartans lost the season finale at Penn State to finish with a 5-7 record.

In an official statement about the Michigan Stadium tunnel incident, the Big Ten Conference said they would fine Michigan State University, reprimand the University of Michigan, and suspend one player from the Spartans into the 2023 season.

EAST LANSING – Michigan State is coming of a 29-7 loss at Michigan last week for its fifth defeat in the last six games. Michigan State would obviously benefit from the return of Jeff Pietrowski, who started the first three games but has missed the last five due to injury. Barring injured players returning, Michigan State will likely have to shrink its rotation at defensive end, leading to an increase in snaps for those who are available. Among the suspended defensive backs, Grose (53 tackles, four pass break-ups) was by far the most impactful with 28 career starts. Michigan State is now in the final month of the schedule in a disappointing season but sees recent positives on defense.

Four more Michigan State football players have been suspended for their roles in the melee in the Michigan Stadium tunnel.

New video released by ABC on Monday afternoon shed addition light on the postgame incident involving Michigan State players after a loss at Michigan on Saturday. In the video from the Michigan Stadium tunnel, Michigan State defensive back Khary Crump can be seen swinging his helmet and hitting Michigan defensive back Gemon Green. Young, Grose and Brown were among multiple Michigan State players involved in a separate incident in which they were striking Michigan defensive back Ja’Den McBurrows. Michigan State’s Mel Tucker ‘deeply sorry’ for postgame incident at MichiganIn the video released Monday afternoon, it’s unclear how the incident involving Crump and Green started as Michigan State players headed to the locker room. Related Michigan State football stories:Takeaways, observations from Michigan State’s loss at MichiganMichigan State’s Mel Tucker: ‘No excuse’ for postgame behavior in tunnelAfter taking early lead, Michigan State offense shut out in second half of loss at MichiganOverheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: Butt whooped and hat’s offLosing rivalry game to Michigan is ‘sickening’ for Michigan State

Jim Harbaugh expects the four suspended Michigan State football players involved in roughing up two members of Michigan’s team to be punished to the fullest extent of the law.

EAST LANSING – There’s not much good news to report after a 49-20 shellacking from Ohio State that marked Michigan State’s fourth straight loss. Here are the snap counts and a look at grades from Pro Football Focus after the Spartans’ Saturday loss to the Buckeyes:Offensive snap counts (out of 54):* Nick Samac: 54* Spencer Brown: 54* J.D. * Michigan State overall received its lowest run-blocking grade of the season, 51.1, as it managed just seven rushing yards. * Jayden Reed had a nice bounce-back game: after being graded for four drops last week at Maryland, he was Michigan State second-highest rated offensive player, with his average catch coming 15 yards down the field. * Barrow has expanded his role since the opening two games of the season and on Saturday received the best grade of any Michigan State defensive starter.

EAST LANSING – As Michigan State looks to shore up a struggling and injury-riddled defense, personnel changes continue to be made. He started 12 games at safety and one at nickelback last year and the first four this season at safety. Stroud threw for 432 yards and six touchdowns as Ohio State rolled to a 56-7 win against Michigan State. Michigan State also picked up a commitment last week from 2024 four-star cornerback Jamari Howard. Tucker declined to say if Michigan State applied for a waiver to gain immediate eligibility or discuss how he could fit into the defense in the future.

Michigan State made position changes and personnel changes as it tried to snap out of a two-game skid at Maryland on Saturday. Collins was the second-highest graded Michigan State offensive player, at 72.5. But the two players who started at safety, Kendell Brooks and Jaden Mangham, had the two lowest grades among Michigan State defensive starters. And while its coverage was improved from last week, Michigan State still has the third-worst pass coverage grade in the Big Ten. * Michigan State had 72 offensive plays on Saturday after having just 46 last week.

EAST LANSING – It doesn’t take a football analyst to decipher the grades from Michigan State’s 34-7 loss to Minnesota on Saturday. If you dare, here’s a closer look at Pro Football Focus’ grades and snap counts:Offensive snap counts (out of 46)* Jarrett Horst: 46* J.D. * The PFF grades say that Michigan State’s offensive issues aren’t in the trenches. Four of Michigan State’s five highest-graded offensive players on Saturday were linemen, led by right tackle Spencer Brown. * Even after that tough outing last week at Washington, Michigan State’s defense graded even worse against Minnesota, at a season-worst 56.8.

The defensive back headed into his second season at Michigan State looking to expand his role and did so in a major way. Grose was on the field for 1,005 of Michigan State’s 1,055 total defensive snaps last season, according to Pro Football Focus. “You’re always trying to find the best 11, you want to get your best players on the field,” Michigan State secondary coach Harlon Barnett said. “You can just play anywhere so you put your best guys out there.”Now heading into his third season, Grose plans on being more of a leader. “The game is slowing down now, I’m seeing things way better and I’m understanding defense way better now.”Related Michigan State football stories:Brenda Tracy named honorary captain for Michigan State’s spring gameThese memories last.’ Michigan State football runs clinic for people with disabilitiesMichigan State RB Davion Primm earns alert as emerging playerJayden Reed leads Michigan State WR group with shot for younger players to emergeMichigan State’s Keon Coleman dives back into football after winter on the hardwood

EAST LANSING – Michigan State is coming off an 11-win season and top-10 finish in the national rankings. “I think I would go with motivation,” Michigan State secondary coach Harlon Barnett said. In the final five games of the regular season, Michigan State’s opponents averaged 410.8 passing yards per game while combining for 17 touchdowns through the air. More competition and guys are getting better.”Williams and Speed were both part of national championship teams a season before transferring to Michigan State. I already see it making us better.”Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State’s Keon Coleman dives back into football after winter on the hardwoodWhy DE Khris Bogle transferred from Florida to Michigan StateNow comfortable in switch to TE, Michigan State’s Maliq Carr eyes big seasonAfter splitting time for three seasons, Michigan State center Nick Samac plans on cementing spotFor Michigan State OT Spencer Brown, the long wait was worth it

Three weeks later, Michigan State traveled to Ohio State still controlling its own destiny in the hunt for a Big Ten title and spot in the College Football Playoff. Stroud and a talented group of receivers torched Michigan State in a blowout. Michigan State countered by adding five scholarship defensive back transfers in Ronald Williams (Alabama), Chester Kimbrough (Florida), Marqui Lowery (Louisville), Khary Crump (Arizona) and Kendell Brooks (Division II North Greenville). The uptick in passing production allowed by Michigan State coincided with injuries in the secondary. Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State linebacker competition should be intense between returners and transfer additionsMichigan State football assistant coaches receive raises with three making at least $1 millionMichigan State’s defensive line remains strong at tackle but there’s heavy turnover at endMichigan State’s offensive line showed growth but needs to rebuild after key lossesDespite loss of Connor Heyward and portal departures, Michigan State has solid outlook at TE

EAST LANSING – Michigan State used a big first half to stay unbeaten. Here are notable quotes from Michigan State coach Mel Tucker and players:“We came out and we started fast and we were able to get the job done.”- Tucker on Michigan State taking a 42-16 lead into halftime. … He’s a legit player.”- Tucker on if Western Kentucky quarterback Bailey Zappe will be able to play in the NFL. Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State LB Cal Haladay disqualified for targetingDrew Beesley, Elijah Collins among those out for No. 17 Michigan State vs. Western KentuckyMichigan State’s Connor Heyward continues to shine in new roleMichigan State DT Simeon Barrow excelling in unexpected role year after opting out5 things to watch in Michigan State vs. Western Kentucky and a final score prediction

EAST LANSING – It would have been easy for Angelo Grose to take offense to his head coach naming him after a weasel. But when Grose first heard Mel Tucker call him the nickname “sugar weasel”, he knew it was a compliment. “I guess he sees a little honey badger in me,” Grose, a Michigan State sophomore defensive back, said on Wednesday. A former three-star recruit, Grose took over Michigan State’s starting nickelback spot in the final four games of the 2020 season as a freshman. “He’ll tackle anything that comes his way,” Spartans safety Xavier Henderson said.

Here are notes on the new roster:* There were no new losses from the spring roster, other than those who previously entered the portal. Michigan State has had 27 players enter the portal since November, including 10 after spring practice ended. *Michigan State added six transfers in January (five on scholarship) and announced 12 more transfers in May (nine on scholarship). * Michigan State has its first players wearing the No. Related Michigan State football stories:Position-by-position previews for Michigan State heading into fall campBig Ten commissioner Kevin Warren addresses possible CFP, conference expansionBig Ten commissioner Kevin Warren says decision on football COVID-19 plan, forfeits in the worksMichigan State RB Kenneth Walker III named to Doak Walker Award watch listMichigan, MSU buried in Big Ten football preseason poll

Today’s position: defensive backMel Tucker was a defensive back at Wisconsin and his foundation is as a secondary coach. Now heading into his second season as Michigan State’s head coach, he is facing a rebuilding project in the secondary, especially at cornerback. Shakur Brown, the Spartans’ top cornerback last season, left early for the NFL while four others at the position transferred. That’s where Brown started the first two games of the season before returning to cornerback for the final five games. Michigan State’s secondary will look at lot different than last season, especially at cornerback where the room was retooled through the portal.

Mel Tucker’s roster overhaul through the transfer portal continues. Marqui Lowery Jr., a former cornerback at Louisville, announced his commitment to Michigan State on Saturday. Michigan State is now up to 10 transfer additions, either through those already enrolled or those who are committed. Michigan State is thin at cornerback after Shakur Brown left for the NFL draft and four others at the position entered the portal. Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State lands commitment from Louisville transfer CB Marqui Lowery Jr.Curtis Blackwell’s latest lawsuit against Mark Dantonio and others is also dismissedMichigan State graduate assistant Cordae Hankton leaving for job at TexasMichigan State unveils new script “State” helmetsMichigan State boasts strong group of receivers with top targets returning

Travares Tillman is returning for his second season at Michigan State and this time in a new role. Shakur Brown was Michigan State’s top cornerback in 2020 with five interceptions – one off the most in the nation – and four pass break-ups. With those five departures, Michigan State is now thin on experience at cornerback. “I think he’s going to have a phenomenal year next year. Additionally, Michigan State signed 19 players to its 2021 recruiting class, including three cornerbacks in three-star prospects Chuck Brantley, Antoine Booth and Steffan Johnson.

Tucker’s debut season was severely complicated by COVID-19 and Michigan State finished 2-5. Snow, the son of former Michigan State point guard Eric Snow and the nephew of former Michigan State All-American linebacker Percy Snow, should contend for playing time in the secondary as a sophomore. Michigan State starting tackle Naquan Jones is entering the draft and won’t return for a sixth year but there’s returning experience at the interior of the line. As mentioned above, Michigan State has very little experience returning at linebacker so there’s an opportunity to step up. Related Michigan State football stories:Spartans in the NFL: Raequan Williams records first sack to cap rookie seasonMichigan State WR Tre’Von Morgan enters transfer portalFormer Michigan State LB Jeslord Boateng transferring to AkronMichigan State DE Drew Beesley says he’s returning for 2021 seasonMichigan State CB Chris Jackson enters transfer portal

The Michigan State defensive back notched that feat against quarterback Peyton Ramsey in a win at Indiana in 2018. Brown had two interceptions to help lead Michigan State (2-3) to a 29-20 win on Saturday against No. Rocky Lombardi regroups and uses arm, legs to push Michigan State past NorthwesternFive games into the season, Brown now has five interceptions. “He’s going to be a great ballplayer for us, he already is a great ballplayer for us,” Michigan State senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons said. Related Michigan State football stories:Michigan State opens as more than three-touchdown underdog to Ohio StateUp next: Ohio State still hopes to play Michigan State after this week’s COVID cancelationOverheard outside Michigan State’s locker room: A surge and the real dealMichigan State shows resolve late to knock off No.