Big Ten Media Day Coverage from Lucas Oil Stadium

INDIANAPOLIS – Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith, running back Nathan Carter, defensive back Dillon Tatum and tight end Jack Velling represented the Spartans on Wednesday on the second day of Big Ten Media Days at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Smith and the three players met with reporters and broadcasters from around the country to talk about the upcoming 2024 season, which kicks off Friday, Aug. 30 in Spartan Stadium against Florida Atlantic.

Check out the sights and scenes from media day, along with quotes from Smith’s press conference.

JONATHAN SMITH: It is great to be here today representing Michigan State University. It’s always an exciting day to kind of kick off and get started on this new adventure that me and my family are really looking forward to.

Got three players here that are going to represent this place as well. Nate Carter, running back, who has been awesome for us on and off the field. Getting to know him — he’s actually the first player that I met on the team, and he’s had the best off-season of his life because he got married just a few weeks ago.

Dillon Tatum, versatile player in the secondary, does a bunch in our community. Another one that in our locker room has a ton of influence. I think he’ll represent us today really well.

And Jack Velling, a tight end we’re very familiar with. Just got over in January to Michigan State and has dove into our locker room. Feel like his skill set and his abilities, he has a chance to be one of the best tight ends in the country.

So really excited about those three guys being here as well.

Even for me, being here is impressive to be a part of the Big Ten Conference with the four new schools, the additions, even following a legend like Coach Ferentz is impressive, leads to it’s going to be competitive and challenging, and I’m really excited to dive in and do that in this conference.

We went to work starting in December, laying a foundation through spring practice that we felt really good about. We’ve had some new additions and new faces that we’re putting this together this summer, this off-season.

Can’t give enough credit to our strength staff led by Mike McDonald for all the work that’s been done, and now there’s a huge amount of work moving forward that I’m really looking forward to doing.

I want to be a place, Michigan State, of substance. I’ve been around…