2026 Michigan State University Depth Chart

Michigan State’s quarterback room is being retooled under new leadership. Redshirt sophomore Alessio Milivojevic showed enough promise late last season – 64% passing, 1,267 yards and 10 TD with four straight starts – to enter 2026 as the projected QB1. His dual-threat upside and growing command of the offense give him an edge in fantasy potential. Sixth-year transfer Cam Fancher provides a steady veteran presence behind him, but Fancher’s ceiling appears lower; he’s more of an insurance policy than a true threat to Milivojevic’s job security. Blue-chip freshman Kayd Coffman adds long-term talent, but it’s likely the Spartans bring him along slowly as Milivojevic entrenches himself. In short, the job (and fantasy value) is Milivojevic’s to lose – his late-2025 efficiency and rushing ability make him the confident choice at QB, while Fancher offers a solid floor as the backup.

Michigan State aggressively revamped its backfield via the transfer portal, signaling a clear hierarchy at running back. UConn import Cam Edwards profiles as the workhorse RB1 after shredding lesser competition for 1,240 yards and 15 TDs in 2025. His proven production and between-the-tackles toughness should translate into immediate volume between the Big Ten hashes. Behind Edwards, sophomore speedster Marvis Parrish is poised for the change-of-pace RB2 role – the former C-USA Freshman of the Year brings game-breaking burst and pass-catching ability (779 scrimmage yards as a true frosh). Parrish is the home-run threat to Edwards’ grind-it-out style, giving him enticing upside even if he’s not the primary ball-carrier. Veteran Jaziun Patterson, who was Iowa’s third-string back, slots in as the RB3 for MSU. Patterson offers experienced depth and a well-rounded skill set, but he projects as more of a rotational piece – a safety net if Edwards or Parrish falter, rather than a fantasy starter. Notably, returning bruiser Brandon Tullis (227 lbs) could still vulture occasional goal-line touches, but the influx of talent pushes him off the fantasy radar. Overall, Edwards’ all-around game and opportunity keep him atop the depth chart, with Parrish’s big-play flair not far behind. Committee usage is a concern, but Edwards’ three-down ability and Parrish’s defined role should both yield fantasy relevance (with Patterson mostly an insurance policy).

The pass-catching corps is essentially a blank slate, making way for newcomers to dominate the target share. With last year’s top wideouts (Nick Marsh, Montorie Foster, etc.) gone, no returning Spartan receiver recorded more than one catch in 2025. In fact, only two returning receivers even notched a reception (a mere 8 yards each), leaving Michigan State with “probably the least experienced receiver room in the Big Ten”. Enter transfer reinforcements: ex-Michigan receiver Fredrick Moore and Notre Dame transfer “KK” Smith instantly become the likely WR1 and WR2. Moore, a former starter for the Wolverines, tallied 15 catches for 160 yards last year and brings polished route-running plus familiarity with Big Ten defenses. Smith flashed in South Bend with 8 grabs, 123 yards and 2 TD as a sophomore, showcasing speed that MSU desperately needs on the outside. Both come with something to prove – Moore seeking a featured role after being a complementary piece at Michigan, and Smith looking to capitalize on his playmaking efficiency – but opportunity is king here. Behind them, redshirt freshman Braylon Collier profiles as the new slot weapon. Collier drew praise for his quickness and twitch as a route-runner during his redshirt year, and he has a chance to emerge as a high-volume underneath target given the dearth of veteran options. At 6’0″ and 176 lbs, Collier isn’t a physical mismatch, but he’s a savvy separator who could lead the team in receptions if the chemistry with Milivojevic develops. Big-bodied hybrid Bryson Williams (6’1″, 219) also factors in – originally a running back, Williams might be deployed in creative ways (jet sweeps, screens, slot routes) to exploit his size after the catch. He’s a wild card who adds a high-floor, low-ceiling element to the receiving group. Rounding out the two-deep, redshirt freshman Charles Taplin and true freshman Rai’Shawn Elmore will compete for snaps. Taplin, like Williams, has just a lone collegiate catch but offers straight-line speed from the outside, while the 6’2″ Elmore arrives with enough size and prep pedigree to potentially leapfrog into the rotation. In such an open receiver room, the pecking order after Moore/Smith is fluid – fantasy managers should monitor fall camp closely. For now, we slot Collier and Williams next in line due to their familiarity with the program, but any of these young wideouts could seize a top-4 role. The overriding theme: talent is less a limiting factor than opportunity here. Moore and Smith should soak up targets by default, and if one of the freshmen or converted players shows a spark, volume will follow. The uncertainty is high, but so is the upside for whoever establishes themselves as Milivojevic’s go-to option.

At tight end, redshirt junior Brennan Parachek is positioned to take over as TE1 after two years apprenticing behind Jack Velling. Parachek is a former four-star recruit with a 6’5″, 251-pound frame and a “physical route-runner” skill set. Thus far his college impact has been modest (only 14 career catches for 118 yards), but he’s been groomed for this starting role and should see a huge uptick in snaps and routes. Given the lack of experienced wideouts, Parachek could quietly become a safety blanket over the middle – he has reliable hands and enough athleticism to threaten seams, and he’ll be on the field in most situations thanks to his blocking competence. Fantasy-wise, he offers a solid floor due to expected snap share and red-zone usage. The real X-factor is Ferris State transfer Carson Gulker, an all-purpose weapon now listed at tight end. Gulker did everything at the D-II level – quarterback, H-back, even tailback – and was an absolute touchdown machine (50 career rushing TDs for Ferris State). Michigan State brought him in to inject creativity and playmaking, so we anticipate Gulker being used in specialty packages. Don’t be surprised to see him line up as a Wildcat QB near the goal line or leak out on play-action for short-yardage scores. While his role is unlikely to include heavy route volume initially, Gulker’s nose for the end zone could make him a touchdown-dependent fantasy sleeper at TE. Essentially, Parachek is the steady every-down tight end – think 4-5 catches on a good week – whereas Gulker is a gadget player who might score two TDs one week and touch the ball once the next. In dynasty formats, both are intriguing: Parachek for his all-around TE1 potential and Gulker for his unique skill set that Pat Fitzgerald’s staff will surely try to exploit.

Finally, at kicker, the Spartans will likely turn to transfer Liam Boyd to stabilize a position that saw last year’s starter depart. Boyd arrives from Charlotte and should have a firm grip on the K1 job given his FBS experience. While MSU’s rebuilt offense may not provide abundant scoring opportunities early on, Boyd’s job security and leg make him a viable streaming option in favorable matchups. Overall, Michigan State’s fantasy depth chart is defined by new faces stepping into big roles – the challenge for managers is balancing the enticing upside of these talented transfers and underclassmen with the uncertainty that comes from such a dramatic roster overhaul. The Spartans’ hierarchy is based on a blend of proven production (Edwards), recent flashes of potential (Milivojevic, Parrish), and pure opportunity (the entire receiving unit). We’re betting on the players who marry talent with clear paths to touches, even if some are unproven. It’s a high-variance group, but one that could yield a few fantasy gems if things click in East Lansing.