Michigan State's Michael Masunas talks redemption game against Boston College and the strength in the tight end room
Michael Masunas wants redemption for the self-inflicted loss against Boston College last season, and is confident in this season's tight end group, claiming it is one of the best in the nation.
“God first, love God, he’s a huge part of my life. Huge family guy. Love football and love the Spartans.”
This is how Michael Masunas describes himself, as more than just a tight end, but as a man who is grounded in his faith and family. These are traits that oriignally drew Masunas to Michigan State in 2022 under then head coach Mel Tucker. Now, of course, he plays under current MSU head coach Jonathan Smith and tight ends coach Brian Wozniak. Masunas describes the program under the current regime as “a family environment.”
Masunas has steadily grown into a veteran position at Michigan State. He redshirted during the 2022 campaign and did not see game action during his true freshman season. In 2023, Masunas played nine games, primarily on special teams, as a redshirt freshman. As a redshirt sophomore in 2024, he started four games before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Ironically the final game Masunas played in during the 2024 season was against Boston College, which is Michigan State's opponent on Saturday.
Now healthy, and playing in Michigan State's Week One victory over Western Michigan, Masunas is preparing for Week Two of the 2025 season against the Eagles. As mentioned, this marks the second year in a row MSU will face Boston College in the non-conference slate. In 2024, the Spartans suffered a somewhat self-inflicted 23-19 loss to the Eagles. Masunas and the returning players remember last year's defeat to BC quite well.
"Definitely a reminder for us players who played last year, you know,” Masunas said about Boston College. “It was a tough loss last year. We had our opportunities. We were up at half, and it was just downhill. A couple of mistakes here and there, and for me it’s definitely a game I want to go out there and win.”
The loss has stuck with him and many of his teammates, highlighting a season of costly inconsistencies.
“I think we all felt it,” Masunas said about last year's loss. “And the memories are coming back, how much that one stung because we just lost it ourselves. I feel like they played a good game, but I think we lost that game for us.”
