A few feet inside the Skandalaris Football Center’s glass facade is a wall that pays tribute to the 2014 squad.
Conner Moore spoke in front of that team, which was a part of the pinnacle of Michigan State football in the modern period.
It was when the Spartans went 36-5 over a three-season span, culminating in another Big Ten title and trip to the 2016 College Football Playoff, that Moore switched allegiances. The Ohio native raised in a family of Buckeyes became a fan of the green and white, which he’s now wearing.
Moore, an FCS All-American offensive tackle from Montana State, transferred to Michigan State during the winter and is nearing the end of spring practice with a new program.
“I grew up a Michigan State fan so that was a huge thing for me,” Moore said after practice on Thursday. “I thought it was really cool being able to come play for my dream school growing up.
Moore was an unranked and lightly recruited prospect before becoming a standout at Montana State. He started the last 28 games split between left tackle and left guard for the Bobcats, who lost to North Dakota State in the FCS national championship game on Jan. 6
When Moore went into the portal a day later, the second team All-American quickly fielded interest from programs that weren’t knocking on his door in Millbury, Ohio. He visited Cincinnati before heading to East Lansing and the Breslin Center for a basketball game. The Spartans rolled out the red carpet as Moore, flanked by coach Jonathan Smith, was greeted by athletic director Alan Haller and university president Kevin Guskiewicz in the arena tunnel.
“I had no clue I was going to meet all those guys,” Moore said. “It was pretty cool. I got to walk on the court, I got to go shake hands with all those guys.”
After trips to Cincinnati and Michigan State, Moore canceled planned visits to Ohio State and Auburn. He committed to the Spartans on Jan. 11, two days after stepping on campus.
“I also really like (offensive line coach Jim Michalczik), I like the culture they’re building in the O line room,” Moore said. “I thought it was pretty similar to things I’m used to at my old school.”
Although Moore, 6-foot-5 and 309 pounds, is making the leap to the Big Ten and FBS level, he has valuable experience. Montana State opened last season with a 35-31 upset win at New Mexico and was 15-0 before a three-point loss to powerhouse North Dakota State.
Regarding the match against the Lobos, Moore stated, “I thought we were the superior team going into the game.” “Last year at Montana State, we had a very talented team. Being able to defeat an FBS team was definitely something I thought was impressive, but I kind of expected that going into it.
The NFL doesn’t overlook talent anywhere, despite the stark disparity in finances. In just the last three seasons, 41 FCS players have been selected in the NFL draft.
“The depth of the talent is the main difference, but I wouldn’t say the high end of FCS and the high for the Big Ten are too much different,” Moore stated.
Following Holy Cross’ Luke Newman, Michigan State has added an FCS All-American tackle for the second consecutive year. Moore is also making an attempt by switching to working mostly at right tackle, even though Newman started all 12 games at left guard last season to finish off his collegiate eligibility.
We’ll get to it later. “He flipped sides, so there’s a little bit of a transition playing him mostly at right but he can also play left for us,” Michalczik explained. “Right now, we just want to keep him in one spot. Although there is room for improvement in his technique, he is athletic and smooth, and he consistently seems to complete tasks.
During Moore’s visit to Michigan State, coaches showed him film of Newman, who then called to provide input. Now through 11 spring practices, Moore continues to get more comfortable.
“I feel like just learning different footwork,” he said of taking reps on the right side of the line for the first time since a true freshman. “It’s definitely been pretty fun having that challenge of moving over to the right side.”
Michigan State’s offensive line, which struggled last season while being gutted by injuries, returns a pair of starters in left tackle Stanton Ramil and right tackle Ashton Lepo. In addition to those coming back, Moore was one of four veteran transfers brought in to elevate the level of play for the front five.
“I think it’s been great,” Michalczik said. “I feel good about the room, I feel good about the guys in it. I think the culture of the room, the focus of where work is where it should be. … I think the new addition guys to that have only helped make it better.”
