The 2023 Michigan State Spartans football team represented Michigan State University in the East Division of the Big Ten Conference during the 2023 NCAA Division I FBS football season. The Spartans played their home games at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, Michigan. The Michigan State Spartans football team drew an average home attendance of 70,211 in 2023.
The Spartans were led by Mel Tucker through the first two games of the season; Tucker was suspended without pay on September 10 and was fired for cause on September 27 following disclosures relating to alleged sexual harassment. Defensive backs coach Harlon Barnett was appointed interim head coach, and former head coach Mark Dantonio agreed to return as the team's associate head coach.
The Spartans finished the season 4–8, 2–7 in Big Ten play to finish in sixth place in the East division. They failed to qualify for a bowl game for the third time in four years. In a 49-0 defeat, the Spartans would also suffer their worst home loss in program history to rival Michigan. On November 12, 2025, the 4 wins were vacated as a result of an NCAA settlement over recruiting violations during Mel Tucker's tenure.
On November 26, the school named Oregon State head coach Jonathan Smith the team's new head coach.
Schedule
Game summaries vs Central Michigan
vs Richmond
vs No. 8 Washington
vs Maryland
at Iowa
at Rutgers
vs No. 2 Michigan
at Minnesota
vs Nebraska
at No. 1 Ohio State
at Indiana
vs No. 11 Penn State
Rankings
Personnel
Roster
Coaching staff Mel TuckerHead coach – removed after 2 games4thChris KapilovicAssistant head coach/offensive line/run game coordinator4thJay JohnsonOffensive coordinator/quarterbacks4thScottie HazeltonDefensive coordinator4thTed GilmoreTight ends4thCourtney HawkinsWide receivers4thHarlon BarnettSecondary/interim head coach week 2 through end of season15thRoss ElsSpecial Teams/linebackers4thEffrem ReedRunning backs2ndDiron ReynoldsDefensive line1stJim SalgadoCornerbacks1st
Coaching changes On January 4, defensive line coach Marco Coleman left MSU to join his alma mater, Georgia Tech, as their defensive line coach. On January 25, the school named Stanford defensive line coach Diron Reynolds the team's new defensive line coach. On March 4, pass rush specialist coach Brandon Jordan left to take a job with the Seattle Seahawks. On March 16, the school named former Buffalo Bills safeties coach Jim Salgado as the new cornerbacks coach.
Transfers Outgoing On April 30, the final day to declare for the transfer portal, two-year starting quarterback Payton Thorne announced he was entering the portal. Wide receiver Keon Coleman also announced he would transfer. Payton ThorneQBAuburnKeon ColemanWRFlorida StateJack StoneKBaylorMichael FletcherDEAppalachian StateJalen HuntDTHoustonDashaun MalloryDTArizona StateChase CarterDEIncarnate WordKobe MyersLBElijah CollinsRBOklahoma StateCarson CasteelLBVanderbiltJeff PietrowskiDEWisconsinTate HallockDBWestern MichiganGermie BernardWRWashingtonTerry LockettWREastern MichiganCade McDonaldWRMiami (OH)Hamp FayTE/QBOklahomaAJ KirkDBJones College (MS)Itayvion 'Tank' BrownDE Source
Incoming Ademola FaleyeTENorfolk StateJaylan FranklinTEWisconsinSemar MelvinCBWisconsinJonathan KimKNorth CarolinaNate CarterRBUConnJarrett JacksonDLFlorida StateAaron AlexanderLBUMassJaren ManghamRBSouth FloridaDre ButlerDELibertyTunmise Adeleye DLTexas A&MTyneil HopperTEBoise StateMason ArnoldLSOhio StateMichael O'ShaughnessyP Ohio StateArmorion SmithSCincinnatiJalen SamiDTColoradoAlante BrownWRNebraskaTerry RobertsCBIowa Source
2023 NFL draft Following the conclusion of the season, several players declared for the NFL draft. Three players were selected in the draft.
250Green Bay PackersJayden ReedWR6192New England PatriotsBryce BaringerP6214New England PatriotsAmeer SpeedCB Several other undrafted players signed free agent contracts with NFL teams:
Jarrett Horst, offensive lineman, Miami Dolphins Jacob Slade, defensive lineman, Arizona Cardinals Kendell Brooks, safety, Arizona Cardinals Xavier Henderson, safety, Washington Commanders Ben VanSumeren, linebacker, Philadelphia Eagles
References