Michigan State's Omari Kelly celebrates after a catch against Western Michigan during the second quarter on Friday, Aug. 29, 2025, in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal, Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK Via Imagn Images
Michigan State’s season opener offered the first look at 2026 draft-eligible talent in live action this season. Here’s whose stock rose—and whose path to the next level got a little harder.
Stock Up
- Omari Kelly, Wide Receiver — In his first game as a Spartan, Kelly wasted no time establishing himself as a favorite target for Michigan State quarterback Aidan Chiles. He consistently found space in the secondary and helped propel the Spartans to 21 first-half points.
- Tate Hallock, Safety — The former Michigan State Spartan turned Western Michigan Bronco was one of the few bright spots of the night for the visitors. Hallock led Western Michigan with nine tackles and scored their only points when he intercepted Alessio Milivojevic late in the fourth quarter and returned it 32 yards for a touchdown. The read on the interception was textbook, as Hallock stepped into the passing lane and snatched the ball with ease.
Stock Down
- Aidan Chiles, Quarterback — There is a lot to like about Chiles. He showed athleticism, arm strength, and flashes of strong ball placement. Unfortunately, after halftime Chiles and the Spartans were held scoreless on offense, and some flaws were exposed. He has a tendency to stare down his intended targets, and his accuracy suffers when he’s on the run. Week 2 against Boston College should offer a great opportunity to refine these areas and get his stock moving upward again.
Under the Radar
- Tailique Williams, Wide Receiver — Williams was impressive in Week 1, starting the night with a 35-yard reception to set the tone. When the Broncos needed yards, the quarterback tandem repeatedly looked his way. He finished with 74 yards on six receptions and zero drops despite tight coverage all evening.
- Broc Lowry, Quarterback — Speaking of Western Michigan’s quarterback tandem, redshirt sophomore Broc Lowry impressed in limited opportunities. His stats won’t jump off the page—he finished 5-of-10 for 91 yards with a passer rating of 126.4 compared to Brady Jones’ 74.6—but what stood out was his ability to move an overmatched team down the field against a tough defense while coming into the game cold. He showed good ball placement and the willingness to stand in under pressure and deliver throws. He likely isn’t headed to the NFL Draft this offseason, but he could become one of the next big transfer portal quarterbacks.
With one game down, these early impressions will be key to monitor as we move deeper into the 2025 schedule.
About the Author
Dalton Tinklenberg is the Founder and Media Director of The Scouting Depot, where he leads comprehensive coverage of college and professional football. He is an active member of some of the most respected organizations in sports journalism, including the Football Writers Association of America (FWAA), Pro Football Writers of America (PFWA), Maxwell Football Club, Online News Association (ONA), National Football Foundation (NFF), and the Associated Press Sports Editors (APSE).
Before launching The Scouting Depot, Dalton worked with Blue HQ Media, where he covered major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500, the College Football Playoff, and the Pro Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Through his professional affiliations and on-the-ground experience, Dalton combines deep knowledge of the game with recognized standards of storytelling, editorial excellence, and authenticity in sports coverage.
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