Best quotes from Michigan State football players following spring game
When Mel Tucker spoke to the media following Michigan State football’s annual spring game, he noted that he wants MSU to be a player-led program. With that in mind, some of his leaders on the team spoke to the media after the game, including Darius Snow, Xavier Henderson, Jayden Reed, and Payton Thorne.
You can find the best quotes from that player media session below.
Xavier Henderson on helping MSU be more player-led
S Xavier Henderson on helping MSU become more player-led: "I feel like I'm at a position where I can instill confidence in other people" to be leaders, as he developed into last year as a captain.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Darius Snow on MSU's defense
Darius Snow says MSU's defense "showed a lot of promise" this spring with a "transperancy" that players know their roles and responsiblities. "We have to keep building on that in the fall."
Says Henderson: "We picked up right where we left off" in December with Peach Bowl win.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Xavier Henderson on Darius Snow playing linebacker
Snow says he played LB and nicke today but can still play safety. "I like seeing Darius in front of me because he knows what he's doing," Henderson says.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Xavier Henderson on importance of Peach Bowl win
Henderson said part of why MSU is vibing right now in the spring is the desire to "keep going" from the Peach Bowl win. Says that is better than, say, coming off a loss in the Redbox Bowl (though he enjoyed the Pinstripe Bowl atmosphere).
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Henderson on defensive backs who have improved
Henderson's secondary players who have improved: Marqui Lowery (staying healthy key), Ronald Williams (until he got hurt). Likes Jaden Mangham and says the early enrolled freshman safety "is smarter than I was" as a freshman.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Darius Snow on what his uncle, MSU legend Percy Snow said about him moving to LB
Darius Snow on what his uncle, Percy, is saying about moving to his old LB spot: "He told my dad (Eric), 'Make sure you tell him no matter where you are, you're going to hit somebody.'"
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Darius Snow and Payton Thorne on Snow's versatility
Snow: "I'm just gonna call myself a football player, because I play everything. For future reference."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
QB Payton Thorne on seeing Snow move around the defense: "He's a guy who has the ability to play a lot of positions."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Thorne on backup QB competition
Thorne on backup QB race: "I thought Noah Kim had a really, really solid spring." Says Hamp Fay "is coming along" and Katin Houser "is a good dude, fun to have around. Obviously he has a lot to learn with the offense b/c he just got here, but he's picking up on it."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Jayden Reed and Payton Thorne on transfer CB Ameer Speed
WR Jayden Reed said Ameer Speed will be "a problem" for opposing offenses. Says the Georgia transfer CB has impressed him and his new MSU teammates.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Thorne said new CB Ameer Speed is a player opposing offenses definitely need to know where he is and game-plan for.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Thorne on the buzz surrounding team
Thorne on the buzz around MSU football: "You can see it, you can hear it." Thinks "it's definitely gonna be different coming off an 11-2 season than a 2-5 season." Puts onus on the players to improve upon that.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Thorne on new additions to defense
Thorne on new additions on defense: "We've definitely added some really good athletes on the defense, and I'm just gonna leave it at that." Reed agrees with him.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Thorne and Reed on what makes each other a great teammate
Thorne says Reed "brings juice all the time. He says it all the time – if you're juiceless, you're useless." Reed compliments his longtime friend and QB, saying "his leadership is through the roof" and helping the WR be a more vocal leader as well.
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
Payton Thorne on Kenneth Walker III in the draft
Parting thought from Payton Thorne on Kenneth Walker III in the NFL draft: "If Ken isn't the first RB taken off the board, I don't know what I'm gonna think."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) April 16, 2022
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