Four players represent Michigan State football among the Big Ten in the midst of the program's rebuilding era.
Four Spartans, Ryan Eckley, Jack Velling, Omari Kelly, and Nick Marsh, Honored as Phil Steele’s Preseason All-Big Ten Selections originally appeared on Athlon Sports.
Ahead of the coming college football season, Phil Steele released his conference-specific first to fourth preseason teams. While Michigan State football is still in its rebuilding era under head coach Jonathan Smith and sits 15th out of 18 Big Ten teams on his overall team rankings, four Spartans made the cut for Steele's All-Big Ten preseason teams.
Phil Steele preseason All-Big Ten First Team selection: Ryan Eckley
This isn't Eckley's first preseason recognition. The punter was named a second team All-American by the Walter Camp Football Foundation ahead of the coming season, a Steele-selected third team All-American, and Athlon Sports'-selected fourth team All-American. Eckley was also recognized as a preseason second team All-Big Ten player by Athlon.
As a redshirt sophomore in 2024-25, he led the conference with a 47.9-yard punting average. Eckley had 20, 50-plus yard punts, six punts inside the 20-yard line, and two punts inside the 10-yard line. His special teams performances were relied on by Michigan State when the offense couldn't find the answers it was looking for.
Phil Steele preseason All-Big Ten Third Team selection: Jack Velling
Velling is entering his second season in East Lansing after two years at Oregon State. As a junior and first-year Spartan, the tight end caught 36 passes for 411 yards and one touchdown. He played in all 12 games, making 10 starts and playing a total of 543 offensive snaps. Looking ahead to the coming season, Velling's numbers should only rise as quarterback Aidan Chiles grows behind center. He will almost definitely have the most minutes out of tight ends on the team.
Phil Steele preseason All-Big Ten Fourth Team selection: Omari Kelly and Nick Marsh
Kelly and Marsh are the last two Spartans on Steele's radar. While he didn't make the list for wide receivers, Kelly was put on the fourth team as a punt returner. In 2024-25, he was an All-Conference USA Second Team punt returner. Michigan State will have a lot to work with now that Kelly's transferred into an abundant wideout group.
Marsh could definitely make a higher All-Big Ten preseason team. He'll lead the Spartans in 2025-26 and have a lot more to work with now that Chiles is improving. Marsh set two true freshman records for most receiving yards and receptions in a season. He had 41 receptions for 649 yards and three touchdowns in 2024-25.
Related: Michigan State Football: 2025 Spartans Season Preview and Prediction
Related: Michigan State Football: The Best and Worst Season Scenarios in 2025-26
This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 9, 2025, where it first appeared.
Category: General Sports
