Jonathan Smith updates timeline on deciding Michigan State kicking situation

When Michigan State Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith took over the program ahead of the 2024 season, he inherited a strong kicking game led by senior Jonathan Kim. Now, however, Kim has moved on to the NFL, and Smith needs to find a new starting kicker.

Smith has been overseeing a kicking battle between three kickers — Martin Connington, Tarik Ahmetbasic, and Blake Sislo. However, Smith has had to take his time in the kicking battle, in no small part because Connington and Ahmetbasic have been limited in Fall Camp.

“No,” Jonathan Smith said. “Because Martin and Tarik have been pretty limited. Tarik’s getting closer. He did some light kicking, really, today [Monday], and so by the end of the week, we feel he’ll be closer. Martin might be a little bit longer.”

Tarik Ahmetbasic made one extra point on one attempt in 2024. That makes him the only kicker in the competition with any college experience whatsoever. His improving health is also a check in his box when compared to Martin Connington. Last season, Connington would take a redshirt season. That was after he came to Michigan State highly touted, as a three-star recruit and the 13th-ranked kicker in the Class of 2024.

Unfortunately for Michigan State, the only kicker who has been fully healthy for the kicking battle has been Blake Sislo. A fifth-year kicker who previously played for Davenport, he’s yet to make an appearance in a game for the Spartans.

“Blake done solid, to be honest with you,” Smith said. “I mean, we’ve operated with kickoff and field goals, and he’s been pretty accurate.”

Jonathan Smith will have to make a decision soon. Michigan State opens its season on August 29th against Western Michigan.

Jonathan Smith reveals current health status of Spartan team

Outside of the kicking situation, Michigan State has been relatively healthy. Going into the second season for the team under Jonathan Smith, preventing injuries is going to go a long way. So, luckily, for the time being, there are only a few issues to deal with heading into the regular season.

“Feeling like we’re in a solid space there. Again, I’ll let you know anything season injury. We’ve definitely got some bumps, some bruises going through Camp that way. [Jack] Velling today, getting some reps in team period. He looked ready to continue to go. Did some more there,” Smith said.

“Nikai [Martinez], potentially, Game 1, might be out. We’ll see where that goes. But we’re feeling pretty healthy.”