New coach LeVar Woods and punter Rhys Dakin reveal opportunities and expectations. Safety Nikai Martinez also shares insights from the Spartans' intense spring practice.
The Spartans held their fourth spring practice today, and along with media session footage, we heard from several players and one coach following practice.
Let’s dive in and take a look at who had what to say.
All quotes are courtesy of SpartansMag.com, which provided key insight from both coaches and players after practice.
We’ll start with new special teams coordinator LeVar Woods. Woods arrived in East Lansing this offseason from Iowa, bringing punter Rhys Dakin with him—whom we’ll also hear from shortly.
Woods on what drew him to Michigan State: “I took this job sight unseen. The reason I ended up taking this position was because of opportunity.”
He also admitted he’s been pleasantly surprised by the fan support in East Lansing, calling it “unbelievable.”
Woods continued: “The opportunity here was really, really good. The timing was about right, but really it’s about opportunity.”
On his perspective of the program: “My lens of Michigan State began with Norm Parker. You knew every time you lined up with Michigan State, it was going to be a dogfight.”
Woods also spoke about his relationship with head coach Pat Fitzgerald: “As a competitor, he’s unbelievable. Watching him as a player transition to coaching and coaching against him, it’s been good to see him up close and personal.”
And in classic fashion, Woods added: “If you’re not a fan of energy, don’t come around Pat Fitzgerald.”
When discussing his punter, Rhys Dakin, Woods was confident in his versatility: “Rhys can do whatever we set him up to do. He’s a pocket punter with the ability to roll out. We will always try to do what’s best for the players.”
Woods reiterated the physical nature of the program: “Anytime we lined up against Michigan State, it was going to be a battle. I’m talking about my time at Iowa, but also for the whole Big Ten.”
Next up was the aforementioned Rhys Dakin, who looks to be a key piece for Michigan State moving forward.
The Spartans are quietly building a reputation as “Punter U.” With Bryce Baringer representing the AFC Champion New England Patriots in the Super Bowl and Ryan Eckley entering this year’s draft as one of the nation’s top punters, Dakin has big shoes to fill. However, having the comfort of his former Iowa special teams coach in East Lansing should help ease that transition.
Dakin on his journey: “I found out that I had an offer from Iowa in the middle of 2024, so I started doing some research. They were top five in everything special teams-wise, so I figured it would be a great spot for me to come in and continue that success.”
On reuniting with Woods: “I know what I will get out of Coach Woods. He coaches me the best. That is ultimately why I came here—he’s a great human being, and he gets the best out of me.”
Shifting to the defensive side, senior safety Nikai Martinez addressed the media next. Martinez has spent the past two seasons in East Lansing, appearing in 16 games in the green and white.
Unlike many players during the coaching transition, Martinez chose to stay put—digging in and preparing for his final season as a Spartan.
“I love being here, and I love being a Spartan.”
Martinez said he feels confident in his decision to stay: “I have seen the energy Coach Fitz brought since day one. He just loves football and loves being around people.”
He also credited the return of Joe Rossi and James Adams as key factors in his decision.
Looking ahead to his final collegiate season, Martinez kept his goals simple: “Winning.” “Putting the team first and being that role model for the guys.”
Reflecting on last season, Martinez was candid: “It was very difficult. I love football—this is my life—so not being able to practice and not being able to perform for my team, it was stressful. I tried to be around as much as I could for the team.”
However, he believes that adversity led to growth: “I think I’ve grown a lot mentally, just finding out who I am. I feel like the game has slowed down for me a lot. I feel like everything is coming together.”
Martinez also gave praise to teammate Aveon Grose: “I love Aveon. From when he started coming in as a walk-on to becoming a starter and staying the course—he was ready when his name was called.”
Finally, redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Rakeem Johnson closed out the session. Johnson played in 12 games last season and started the final four, positioning himself as a potential anchor along the offensive line heading into 2026.
With several new transfers expected to contribute, Johnson’s versatility will be a major asset, regardless of where he lines up.
On his early impressions of the new staff: “They are not lying. What they said was true—it’s a family atmosphere.”
On his positional flexibility: “So far they really like my versatility. I’m taking reps at guard and tackle, and getting some snaps at center, too.”
Johnson also spoke highly of offensive line coach Nick Tabacca: “He has a lot of energy, which I like a lot. He’s a family guy. There is a rule in his room—no phones. I like learning new things from Coach Tabacca and hearing what he has to say.”
He added that teammates Matt Gulbin and Nick Sharpe helped provide insight into Tabacca’s coaching style.
Johnson summed up the offensive line’s mentality with a simple phrase: “We have this saying, ‘it’s not ten plus one’—we want all eleven guys on the same page at the same time.”
There’s no denying the growing buzz around Michigan State this season. After a few difficult years, expectations may be rising faster than they should—but there’s also reason for optimism.
With the roster Pat Fitzgerald and his staff have assembled, there’s a real possibility that the Spartans could be on the verge of one of the more notable turnarounds in college football.