Spring football has always been a highly anticipated event for college football fans. However, Michigan State University is taking a different approach in 2025. Instead of hosting an open scrimmage for fans at Spartan Stadium, the program has decided to keep its practices behind closed doors. Head coach Jonathan Smith explains why the Spartans are making this shift.
Michigan State Joins the List of Programs Canceling Spring Games
Michigan State football will not be holding a public spring game this year, marking a shift in tradition for the program. Instead, the Spartans will conduct their 15 spring practices privately, including a few closed-door scrimmages. This decision comes after years of Michigan State allowing fans to attend spring events.
NEW: Michigan State will not hold a spring game this year, head coach Jonathan Smith announced❌
(via @TheSpartanMag) https://t.co/l3EaqNgaHW pic.twitter.com/oSOz14xRTM
— On3 (@On3sports) March 18, 2025
This is especially true with the last full-scale spring game at Spartan Stadium taking place in 2019. Since then, the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to the cancellation of that year’s event. In the following seasons, the Spartans opted for open practices instead of a formal scrimmage.
Nonetheless, under Jonathan Smith’s leadership, Michigan State is shutting its doors entirely. The first reason cited for the change was ongoing renovations inside Spartan Stadium, which make hosting a full-fledged event difficult. However, Smith also acknowledged that broader trends in college football played a role in the decision. These specifically concern the transfer portal and potential roster poaching by rival programs.
“I think it’s a consideration,” Smith said when asked about the impact of the transfer portal. “It was not the No. 1 reason why we decided not to do it, but it’s a consideration. Let’s face it, in this day and age where the opportunity for players across the country make decisions come the back half of April, it’s a part of the conversation.”
Smith’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among college coaches who are becoming increasingly wary of showcasing their talent in a setting where other programs might be watching closely. With the spring transfer window opening shortly, some schools worry that standout performances could lead to players receiving enticing offers from rival programs looking to fill roster gaps.
A Nationwide Trend in College Football
Michigan State is not alone in making this decision. The Spartans are part of a growing list of programs choosing to eliminate public spring games in 2025. The trend began gaining traction when Nebraska head coach Matt Rhule announced it last month. It states that the Cornhuskers would not be holding their annual spring game, citing concerns over roster tampering.
Rhule’s decision raised eyebrows, but it also sparked conversations about whether spring games were doing more harm than good in the era of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) deals and increased player movement.
Since Nebraska’s announcement, several other FBS programs have followed suit. According to On3’s Pete Nakos, powerhouse programs such as Ohio State, Texas, USC, Florida State, Missouri, and NC State have all decided to cancel their traditional spring scrimmages this year. Each cites various reasons, including stadium renovations, roster concerns, and shifting priorities in player development.
The rise of the transfer portal has created an environment where players can leave a program at any time in search of a better opportunity. Holding a public spring game allows rival coaches and scouts to evaluate potential targets in a competitive setting.
For Michigan State, the decision to close practices is a strategic move. While stadium renovations make hosting an event more challenging, limiting public access also helps protect the team from external influences that could disrupt its roster stability.
The program has stated that it is actively exploring alternative ways to engage with fans during the summer or August preseason camp. It ensures that supporters still have opportunities to connect with the team before the season kicks off.
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The growing influence of NIL and the ease of player movement have changed the dynamics of college football, forcing programs to adapt. For now, Michigan State is focused on its internal development, prioritizing roster stability over public exhibition games.
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