In Michigan State’s recent matchup against Florida Atlantic, tight end Jack Velling recorded just one reception for 15 yards.
These statistics underscore a critical area for improvement if the Spartans aim to excel this season. Velling, a standout talent with a versatile skill set, has the potential to be a game-changer for the Spartans, and utilizing him more effectively could be the key to elevating Michigan State’s offensive performance.
Velling’s lone reception against FAU did highlight his potential but also the current underutilization of his skills. Due to his size, athleticism, and route-running prowess, his ability to create mismatches with defenders is a significant asset that Michigan State’s offense must fully leverage. Tight ends often serve as crucial components in an offense, providing a reliable target for the quarterback and valuable assets in both the passing game and blocking schemes.
For Michigan State to be competitive on a higher level, it must explore ways to integrate Velling into its offensive strategies more frequently. This can be achieved through various methods, such as designing plays specifically for him, ensuring he is involved in both short-yardage and red-zone situations and creating opportunities for him to exploit mismatches against defenders.
Velling’s ability to stretch the field and create separation can open up opportunities for other offensive players, making the entire unit more dynamic and unpredictable.
Moreover, incorporating Velling more into the game plan can also alleviate pressure on the wide receivers and provide a more balanced offensive attack. When tight ends are effectively utilized, they can pull defenders out of their comfort zones, creating space for wideouts and improving overall offensive efficiency. This balanced approach not only enhances the passing game but also contributes to a more effective ground game, as defenses are forced to account for more offensive threats.
Velling’s potential impact on Michigan State’s offense cannot be overstated. By prioritizing his involvement in the game plan, the Spartans can significantly improve their offensive output and become a more formidable team. Effective utilization of Velling could very well be the difference between a good season and a great one, making it imperative for the Michigan State coaching staff to adjust its strategies to maximize his contributions.
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The finalists for the 2024 Michigan Miss Volleyball Award have been named.
The high school seniors were nominated by the Michigan Interscholastic Volleyball Coaches Association. The award was first sponsored by the Free Press in 2003.
Here are this year’s 10 nominees, in alphabetical order:
School: Birmingham Marian.
Position: Outside hitter.
Height: 6 feet 1.
Career stats: 1,270 kills, 761 digs, 125 aces, .307 hitting percentage
The buzz: Busignani was a first-team all-state, first-team all-region, and first-team all-Catholic League player as a sophomore and junior. She’s also No. 26 in the country on PrepVolleyball’s class of 2025 rankings and helped Marian win Division 1 championships in 2021 and 2022.
College plans: Busignani will be attending Cincinnati.
YOU MAKE THE CALL: Vote for this week’s Free Press Prep Athlete of the Week
School: Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Position: Outside hitter.
Height: 5-10.
Career stats: 1,469 kills, 1,247 digs, 139 aces, 90 blocks, .352 hitting percentage.
The Buzz: Costlow received first-team all-state honors in 2022 and 2023, after getting a second-team all-state nod as a freshman in 2021. Her squad won district championships from 2021-2023 and was the runner-up in the 2021 state title game.
College plans: Costlow will attend Toledo, where she will continue to play volleyball and study biomedical engineering.
School: Northville.
Position: Setter.
Height: 5-10.
Career stats: 2,549 Assists, 457 kills, 865 digs.
The buzz: Craggs is a two-time all-conference player in the Kensington Lakes Activities Association and made the MHSAA All-Region team in 2022 and 2023. Northville won district and regional championships in 2022 and 2023, and were the Division 1 state runners-up in 2022.
College plans: Craggs will attend Illinois State.
School: Farmington Hills Mercy.
Position: Setter.
Height: 6-3.
2023 Stats: 553 assists, 35 serving aces, 1.3 aces per set, .409 hitting percentage.
The buzz: Flynn was the 2023 Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year, a MIVCA first-team all-state player in 2022 and 2023 and a third-team all-state player in 2021. Flynn is also a member of the 2024 USA Volleyball under-21 national team. She won a state championship in 2023 and a district championship in 2022.
College plans: Flynn will attend Nebraska on a volleyball scholarship.
School: Shelby.
Position: Outside hitter.
Height: 6-1.
Career Stats: 2,801 kills, 345 aces, 1,490 digs, 138 blocks.
The buzz: A three-time all-state, all-region and all-conference player, Gauthier has helped her team to three conference championships, two district championships and one regional championship. Gauthier is on pace to set the Michigan record for all-time kills, according to coach Thomas R. Weirich.
College plans: Gauthier has verbally committed to Ohio State.
School: Temperance Bedford.
Position: Middle blocker.
Height: 6-2.
2023 stats: 467 kills, 251 digs, 119 blocks.
The buzz: Gray’s numbers have increased steadily, and it shows in the team’s records. Gray joined Bedford in 2021 and posted 100 kills and 90 digs, and Bedford finished with a 49-14-4 record;. Her sophomore year, the team finished 41-12-2, and Gray tripled her kills and nearly doubled her digs. Last year, the team finished 62-4 and became district champions.
College plans: Gray will attend Indiana.
School: Birmingham Detroit Country Day.
Position: Middle blocker.
Height: 6-1.
Career stats: None provided.
The buzz: Grenadier helped her team to a 2021 regional championship. She has received honors throughout her career including 2022 first-team all-state and all-region selections and a 2023 all-region nod. In 2022, she recorded the school’s single season kills record (367 kills).
College plans: Grenadier will Colorado on a volleyball scholarship.
School: Cass City.
Position: Middle blocker.
Height: 6-1.
Career stats: 1,388 kills, 180 blocks*, 643 digs* (*sophomore and junior year stats).
The buzz: In 2022, Ignash helped Cass City win its first regional championship since 1977. Ignash is a multiple first-team all-state and all-region player and made the 2023 MHSAA Division 3 All-Tournament Dream Team.
College plans: Ignash has committed to Texas Tech, where she plans on majoring in social work.
School: Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central.
Position: Libero/outside hitter/setter.
Height: 5-7.
Career stats: 809 kills, 1,254 digs, 174 aces, 1,089 assists.
The buzz: Payne has multiple MIVCA all-state honors spanning across her various positions. Last year, she, along with Costlow, lead their team to a 33-9-1 record and a Huron League championship.
College plans: Payne will attend Utah on a volleyball scholarship.
School: Harper Creek.
Position: Middle blocker.
Height: 6-1.
2023 stats: 707 kills, 105 blocks.
The Buzz: Pratley was the team captain and MVP last season as she earned all-state, all-region and all-conference honors.
College plans: Pratley will attend Western Michigan to continue playing volleyball.
Not a hot take, not trying to get down voted into oblivion, don’t consider myself a genius. just what I think will happen.
UM is at home, noon game, potential for rainy cool weather. Michigan’s defense is good enough to shut Texas run game down, making them one dimensional.
Who do you pick, Ewers or will Johnson? One big play by UM’s secondary may be enough to win the game.
I give UM week #1 a pass…new starters in key spots, Nat. Champ hangover, but the lights will be bright, big game on Sat. Donavan Edwards may prove to be the best player on the field. I get it, no Stallions, no booger picker at coach, but that’s how I’d bet, if I did indeed bet.
I think Ohio State has a National Champ caliber team, and it won’t be easy, so I see UM being a huge hurdle for them in 2.5 months.
If Texas smokes them, I’ll gladly call myself an idiot, I’ll be happy and I’ll laugh for a while.
What say you?
1/9
From a werewolf tearing off his shirt to a simple “ope, I voted,” clerks will be handing out newly designed “I voted” stickers during the November general election.
The nine new sticker designs were created and selected by Michiganders during a statewide competition by the Michigan Department of State.
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