Michigan State Football: Stock Report Ahead of Week Four
Which Spartans are rising, and who is falling heading into Week Four as Michigan State travels to USC.
While the game was never close to being in doubt, Michigan State's 41-24 win over Youngstown State last Saturday left more to be desired in what was arguably considered to be MSU's weakest opponent on the schedule entering the 2025 campaign. The bubbly feeling felt by fans after Week Two's dramatic double overtime victory over Boston College has dissipated a bit, following the Eagles' loss at Stanford, and MSU now heads into its first conference matchup of the season this weekend in Southern California versus USC.
Here are a few takeaways on player's trajectories following the Spartans' win over the Penguins.
TE Jack Velling - Stock up
Just as it seemed Velling may not materialize to be the offensive threat he showed during his time at Oregon State, he broke out with maybe his best performance in East Lansing to date. The senior from Seattle finished with six catches for 70 yards, showing a little bit of everything in the Spartans' victory. Velling had the second highest Pro Football Focus grade (79.5) of any offensive player, and his highest grade to this point since transferring from Oregon State in 2024. Of course, it was an FCS opponent, so the jury is still out on Velling, but it was certainly a promising sign after Velling's somewhat disappointing campaign last year, and his slow start to the 2025 season after recovering from a foot injury.
The tandem of Velling and fellow tight end Michael Masunas only adds another wrinkle for opposing teams to game plan against in a Spartan offense that is starting to look very dynamic. The road only gets tougher from here on out for this team heading into conference play, but if Chiles can continue to utilize those weapons in the middle of the field, MSU will likely be successful.
