Will increased depth at OG yield improvement for Michigan State over Newman & Baldwin?

EAST LANSING, Mich. - In the second of a series of articles comparing the 2025 Michigan State depth chart to last season, today SpartanMag analyzes the offensive guard positions.  SpartanMag is projecting a three-way battle for two starting jobs at the guard positions, with Gavin Broscious, Kristian Phillips and Luca Vincic the leading candidates, plus versatile Rakeem Johnson lurking and capable of making a breakthrough at various positions.  LAST YEAR: In this space, after reviewing Luke Newman’s game for Holy Cross against Boston College in 2023, SpartanMag forecasted that Newman could and most likely would be Michigan State’s best offensive lineman in 2024. Newman lived up to that billing by starting all 12 games at left guard for the Spartans, and earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Newman was selected in the sixth round of the NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears. The duo of Newman and Tanner Miller at center was quietly one of the best combinations on the team, but not enough to help an offensive line overcome injuries to Phillips and Broscious on the interior, and cobble together a winning unit. After Phillips went down with a season-ending injury prior to week two, and Broscious went down with a season-ending injury in week three, Michigan State moved left tackle Brandon Baldwin to right guard. Baldwin had athletic feet but lacked physical power. Michigan State was weaker on the right interior for the rest of the season, although Newman and Baldwin were experienced. THIS YEAR: Gavin Broscious (6-4, 307, R-Jr., Surprize, Ariz.) was on a trajectory to be an impact reserve last year, and then a capable replacement for Phillips, prior to his injury. The good news is that he was repaired in time to participate in spring practice. He moved from the right side to the left side during the off-season, but offensive line coach Jim Michalczik is developing flexibility and versatility along the front.  Broscious played 43 snaps against Maryland and 22 against Prairie View A&M. He graded out below average in pass blocking and run blocking in both games, according to Pro Football Focus, but made a good climb in March and April. “It’s good to have him back,” Michalczik said of Broscious. “He had a good spring. He’s a tough, competitive kid. He’s been getting better every day. It’s hard when you get hurt. To be able to, one, come back and get healthy; and two, get past the injury.  “He’s kind of an old soul, in football terms. He’s kind of a throwback.” (MORE inside SpartanMag.com)