Alessio Milivojevic Emerging as the Leader Michigan State Needs

If you were watching the Big Ten Network on Monday, you probably found yourself hanging on every word from new Michigan State head football coach Pat Fitzgerald during his interview.

Fitzgerald spoke about a variety of topics surrounding Michigan State and what it means to be a Spartan, but one of the biggest takeaways was the way he talked about the Spartans' projected starting quarterback for 2026, Alessio Milivojevic.

Fitzgerald explained that after evaluating the roster, it quickly became clear that Milivojevic was the leader he wanted to build this program around as Michigan State looks to climb out of the basement of the Big Ten and restore the Spartan brand of football.

To accomplish that, Fitzgerald knew he would need help across the roster after taking over a depleted team. However, the most important position on the field has always been, and always will be, the quarterback.

Milivojevic showed plenty of promise during his four starts for Michigan State last season, leading the Spartans to their only conference victory while giving the team a chance to compete in each of his four starts.

When Fitzgerald was asked how important it was to keep Milivojevic in East Lansing as the foundation of what he wants to build offensively, he had nothing but praise for his quarterback.

"Critical, you have to have that position set. And we really felt as we did our analysis that Les (Alessio Milivojevic) is the guy and he's lived up to it from a standpoint of his leadership, who he is, the connectivity he has with his teammates, his care, his love. He went to every portal visit, he was at every meal."

Fitzgerald then joked:

"It was great he was doing it from a leadership point of view and maybe for a free meal too."

He finished by adding:

"He was there for all of them. One day at a time, one rep at a time, one relationship at a time. He's doing a terrific job."

Fitzgerald's comments made it clear that Milivojevic has embraced every aspect of being the leader of this football team. Whether it was attending portal visits, showing up for team dinners, or simply building relationships with new teammates, he has been doing everything possible to help lay the foundation for the future of Michigan State football.

Fitzgerald also praised linebacker Jordan Hall and the rest of the returning Spartans for helping establish that same culture.

"Same thing with Jordan Hall on defense. To keep those guys and a number of other guys that were a part of getting that team close last year and want to get Spartan football back to where it belongs. Those guys are hungry, they're focused and have done a really good job as we've brought high school guys in and the number of guys we brought in from the portal and just opening their arms and teaching them what it's like to be a Spartan and now doing it the way we want to do it."

Those comments show just how important it is to the returning Spartans to get the Green and White back among the top teams in the Big Ten.

Milivojevic attending every portal visit and every team meal may seem like a small detail, but it speaks volumes about the type of leader he wants to be. Jokes aside, those are the kinds of characteristics that show pride in the university, commitment to his teammates and coaches, and a willingness to do whatever it takes to help build a winning program.

Hall and the rest of the returning Spartans know exactly how difficult the past few seasons have been. They've experienced the lows firsthand, but now they have their sights set on changing the trajectory of the program.

Every successful rebuild begins with leadership, and that starts with the head coach and the quarterback. Based on Fitzgerald's comments, Michigan State appears confident it has both pieces in place as the Spartans begin their climb back toward Big Ten relevance.