Michigan State Football

The Big Ten's prime-time Black Friday football game between Michigan State and Penn State will take place at Ford Field.

The Spartans announced the date and start time for the Nov. 24 matchup on Wednesday:

Primetime in the Motor City.#RELENTLESS pic.twitter.com/mPsUK93145

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) May 24, 2023

The Big Ten's media rights deal signed in August, which guarantees the conference more than $8 billion over the next seven years, included an agreement for an additional prime-time Black Friday game on NBC.

CBS will broadcast the afternoon matchup between Iowa and Nebraska on the post-Thanksgiving holiday.

Even though the media rights contracts were finalized in August, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported earlier this week there was "pushback from a number of schools" about playing late-November night games in the new deal. He added "tens of millions of dollars" in the NBC deal were in "flux" because teams in the conference historically haven't been required to play prime-time games after the first week of November "for myriad reasons— health, recovery and campus logistics among them."

According to Thamel, athletic departments and coaches throughout the Big Ten were "surprised" November night games were included in the package and they "weren't asked for permission to play them prior to the deal or informed of the change" before the deal.

The scheduling issues are still "being worked through," but Thamel noted Penn State, Michigan State and Ohio State agreed to some concessions to "make short-term sacrifices to help the league make up for some lost revenue from the NBC deal."

Ford Field is set to host two football games in the span of 31 hours on Thanksgiving weekend. The Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions will play on Thanksgiving Day at 12:30 p.m. ET.

Per Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press, the Michigan High Schools Athletic Association agreed to bump its eight state championship events scheduled for Ford Field back by one day to accommodate the Penn State-Michigan State game.

This will mark the 37th all-time meeting between the two Big Ten programs. Penn State leads the series 18-7-1 and has won three of the last four games, including a 35-16 victory last season.

HEIGHT: 5'11"

WEIGHT: 187

HAND: 9 1/8"

ARM: 30 1/2"

WINGSPAN: 72 7/8"

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40-YARD DASH: 4.45

3-CONE: N/A

SHUTTLE: 4.29

VERTICAL: 33.5"

BROAD: 10'1"

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POSITIVES

— Above-average speed. Can threaten a vertical route tree effectively.

— Very good hand-eye coordination. Tracks the ball at a high-level.

— Very good hands and body control. Allows him to play bigger than he is at catch point.

— Flashes of crisp route-running, especially on inside-breaking routes.

— Brings plenty of experience and production as a returner.

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NEGATIVES

— Below-average play strength. Can struggle at the line or when playing into the sideline.

— YAC skills are underwhelming. No dominant athletic trait, vision is uninspiring.

— Likely to be a slot-only player in the NFL. Will need to be kept off the line if aligned outside.

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2023 STATISTICS

— 11 G, 55 REC, 636 YDS (11.6 AVG), 5 TD

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NOTES

— DOB: April 28, 2000

— 3-star recruit in Western Michigan's 2018 class, transferred to Michigan State in 2019

— 43 career starts (31 at Michigan State, 12 at Western Michigan)

— Missed one game in 2022 with a foot injury

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OVERALL

Jayden Reed is an undersized ball-winner with the tools and potential to grow into a complete receiver.

Reed's athletic profile is based on his speed and flashes of explosion. Reed comes off the ball well and has the acceleration to eat up cushions quickly. Once he's rolling, Reed reaches a solid top speed that, while not elite, is enough to reasonably threaten vertical routes, both from the slot and inside. Reed also shows glimpses of great snappiness and explosion in his route-running, though it more commonly appears on in-breaking routes rather than out-breaking routes.

Reed's ball skills are what really shine. Though a little undersized, Reed has fantastic body control and the ability to contort his body to find the ball. He has great ball-tracking skills, both down the field and across the middle, and has strong hands to finish consistently. Reed even flashes the ability to play above the rim. That may not be a consistent part of his game at his size in the NFL, but it's something he has in his bag.

The biggest concerns with Reed come down to his play strength and alignment flexibility. Though Reed played outside some in college, that may not be in the cards in the NFL. Reed showed some struggles versus press coverage, both at the line and when being disrupted throughout his route.

Reed is also a middling ball carrier. Despite excelling as a returner, Reed's YAC skills are mediocre as a wide receiver. He can be a little slow to transition from catch to run and he doesn't have any one dominant athletic trait to lean on as his weapon.

Reed's requisite speed and high-level ball skills are enough to make him an early contributor. He will be a reliable target who can take on a variety of route responsibilities, though mostly from the slot. Size and play strength will hold him back to a degree, but there's enough in the rest of his skill set to overcome that and be a useful player.

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GRADE: 7.0 (High-level Backup/Potential Starter - 3rd Round)

OVERALL RANK: 81

POSITION RANK: WR11

PRO COMPARISON: Sterling Shepard

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Written by B/R NFL Scout Derrik Klassen

NFL draft prospect Jayden Reed made sure everyone knew he was dealing with an eye infection during the scouting combine after posting a photo on social media Saturday:

I can confirm 😉😂 https://t.co/3EcsUiNHp4 pic.twitter.com/uL4MbFL3tr

— j.reed11💂🏾 (@JaydenReed5) March 5, 2023

The photo came in response to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, who noted the "severe eye infection." Reed decided to remain a full participant during the week in Indianapolis despite the limitation.

The former Michigan State receiver ran the 40-yard dash in 4.45 seconds, which ranked 16th among receivers. He also completed the vertical jump (33'5") and broad jump (10'1") during a full day of testing on Saturday while also taking part in on-field drills.

Reed's toughness could help him ahead of the 2023 NFL draft, where he could be a Day 3 pick. Bleacher Report's Scouting Department listed him as the No. 134 overall player in the class and 16th best receiver in the latest rankings before the combine.

On the other hand, team personnel might want to stay away this week until Reed's eye gets back to normal.

Michigan State cornerback Khary Crump accepted a plea deal and avoided jail time Tuesday related to charges stemming from an altercation in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium on Oct. 29 after Michigan defeated Michigan State 29-7.

According to Matt Charboneau of the Detroit News, Crump was sentenced to 12 months of probation and 80 hours of community service. Chief assistant prosecuting attorney Victoria Burton-Harris said in a statement to Tom VanHaaren of ESPN that Crump's conviction will be expunged if he completes the terms of his probation.

Crump was one of seven Michigan State players charged in the assault of Michigan players Gemon Green and Ja'Den McBurrows. Video showed Crump hitting Green with his helmet.

The initial charge against Crump was felonious assault, but it was reduced in December to two misdemeanors as part of the plea deal.

Per VanHaaren, Crump faced the most significant charge, followed by teammate Jacoby Windmon, who was charged with one count of assault and battery.

MSU's Itayvion Brown, Angelo Grose, Justin White, Brandon Wright and Zion Young were charged with aggravated assault. All of the players were suspended by Michigan State, as was cornerback Malcolm Jones, who was not charged.

Green suffered a concussion and missed one game.

Crump, a native of Los Angeles, began his collegiate career at Arizona in 2020. He redshirted that season and then transferred to Michigan State.

He played only a handful of special teams snaps as a redshirt freshman and then recorded one tackle and one pass defended in four games last season.

According to Sam Marsdale of 247Sports, Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker and the Big Ten suspended Crump for the first eight games of the 2023 season.

Michigan State redshirt sophomore defensive back Khary Crump has accepted a plea deal stemming from an altercation earlier this season in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium.

Per Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press, the 21-year-old "agreed to plead guilty to misdemeanor counts of assault/battery and disorderly conduct person-jostling."

Crump had originally faced a felony charge of assault with a deadly weapon after he was seen on video swinging his helmet at Michigan defensive back Gemon Green after the Spartans' 29-7 loss to the Wolverines on Oct. 29 as both teams walked to the locker room.

Green was consulted on the plea deal, and Crump was required to write a letter of apology to him as part of the agreement, per Solari.

"This is a step," Crump said in a statement to Solari. "Writing the apology to Gemon was a step. I am taking this step by step. I am working on KJ the man, KJ the student and KJ the athlete. All I can say is stay tuned."

Crump's attorney Mike Nichols told Solari that his client will formally accept the plea deal during a virtual hearing on Jan. 5 and all charges will be dismissed and wiped from his record "once he completes his probation under the Holmes Youthful Trainee Act." Nichols added that Crump, who had transferred to Michigan State from Arizona in 2021, doesn't intend to enter the transfer portal this offseason.

"The apology that he wrote to Gemon was heartfelt. … Slowly but surely, he is pulling himself out of a horribly dark place," Nichols said. "I predict that in the end, this kid is going to be one hell of a comeback story."

In addition to Crump, six other Spartans players were charged in two incidents involving Green and fellow Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows. All seven of them were suspended by Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker for the final four games of the season.

However, Crump is the only one not to be reinstated, as he still faces an eight-game suspension levied by the Big Ten to start the 2023 season.

The Michigan State Spartans will be without cornerback Khary Crump for eight games during the 2023 campaign due to disciplinary action stemming from the team's altercation with Michigan following the rivals' matchup on Oct. 29.

The Big Ten announced Monday that Crump will be suspended for the eight games in addition to the four games he was already suspended for this season after the contest.

Big Ten Commissioner Kevin Warren released a statement following the investigation of the altercation:

"The Big Ten Conference has a standard of excellence both academically and athletically that has been built over 127 years. Our standards require that our student-athletes, coaches and staff members represent the conference, and their member institutions, with the highest level of decorum and sportsmanship. We are taking disciplinary action and will continue to work with our member institutions to strengthen their gameday procedures and ensure our honored traditions."

Crump was the only one who will be punished into next season, as the Big Ten determined that Michigan State's self-imposed suspensions of Itayvion "Tank" Brown, Angelo Grose, Justin White, Jacoby Windmon, Brandon Wright, Zion Young and Malcolm Jones were sufficient.

The Big Ten also fined Michigan State $100,000 and issued a public reprimand to Michigan because it failed to "provide adequate protection for personnel of both home and visiting teams when entering and leaving playing arenas" with its single tunnel where the incident occurred.

"The conference determined that during the postgame, seven Michigan State University football student-athletes participated in the hitting, kicking or using of their helmet to strike University of Michigan student-athletes," the Big Ten said.

While the Wolverines won the game with relative ease 29-7, the tunnel altercation made the most headlines. Social media posts captured multiple Spartans players becoming physical with Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows.

"Two of our players were assaulted," Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh told reporters. "I saw on the one video. Ten on one. It was pretty bad. It needs to be investigated."

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker expressed his disappointment in his players' behavior:

https://twitter.com/Coach_mtucker/status/1586708506757021697

As for Crump, he finished his sophomore season with one tackle and one pass defended.

The Spartans will be without him for their first eight games next season when they face Central Michigan, Richmond, Washington, Maryland, Iowa, Rutgers, Michigan and Minnesota.

Seven Michigan State players face criminal charges stemming from the postgame altercation with a Michigan player Oct. 29.

Khary Crump was charged with felonious assault, the only felony among the charges. Jacoby Windon was charged with assault and battery, while Itayvion Brown, Angelo Grose, Justin White, Brandon Wright and Zion Young each face one count of aggravated assault.

Several players were captured on video fighting a Michigan player in the tunnel after the Wolverines earned a 29-7 win:

Footage of the scuffling pic.twitter.com/cipLWi5RBS

— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) October 30, 2022

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh had said he expected criminal charges from the incident, saying there "needs to be accountability."

Grose, Brown, Crump and Young were all suspended by Michigan State shortly after the fight, while White, Windmon, Wright and Malcolm Jones were also suspended a few days later.

Jones is the only one in the group who was not charged.

"I'm extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program," Michigan State President Samuel Stanley said in a statement. "On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student-athletes who were injured.

"There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent."

Michigan State ends its regular season Saturday with a road game against Penn State.

The fallout continues from this weekend after multiple Michigan State football players got into a postgame altercation with a Michigan player.

The Spartans announced they have suspended four additional players for their involvement in the altercation: Justin White, Jacoby Windmon, Malcolm Jones and Brandon Wright. The four of them join Angelo Grose, Itayvion Brown, Khary Crump and Zion Young, who were suspended Sunday.

Michigan State's announcement, which was jointly made by director of athletics Alan Haller and head coach Mel Tucker, stated that the suspensions were decided upon as university officials "continue to gather and review electronic evidence of the altercations." The university is also working with law enforcement and the Big Ten conference "to evaluate additional facts and evidence surrounding the events" that took place Saturday.

As Larry Lage of the Associated Press detailed, a fight broke out in the Michigan Stadium tunnel after the Wolverines' 29-7 win, and videos surfaced on social media showing multiple Spartans players "pushing, punching and kicking" Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows. His teammate and fellow defensive back Gemon Green was also seen on video surrounded by police and yelling toward Michigan State players.

"Two of our players were assaulted," Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I saw on the one video. Ten-on-one. It was pretty bad. It needs to be investigated."

Tucker said in a statement on Twitter that there was "no excuse" for the actions of Michigan State players. The university's president, Samuel Stanley, also addressed the matter.

"I'm extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program," Stanley said. "On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student-athletes who were injured. There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent."

Michigan State fell to 3-5 with Saturday's loss, and things won't get easier this week, as the team will be massively short-handed in a road matchup against the Illinois Illini, who are 7-1.

Michigan head football coach Jim Harbaugh said he expects criminal charges after police complete an investigation into an alleged attack by Michigan State players on U-M players after Saturday night's rivalry game.

"I don't accept any excuses," Harbaugh told reporters Monday in regards to questions about what led up to the altercation.

For those who wonder, yes, there are plenty of security cameras in the stadium tunnel that are being reviewed by police.

— Bob Wojnowski (@bobwojnowski) October 31, 2022

Spartans head coach Mel Tucker suspended four players Sunday—linebacker Tank Brown, cornerback Khary Crump, safety Angelo Grose and defensive end Zion Young—after reviewing what he called "disturbing electronic evidence" of the situation.

Video obtained by the Detroit News on Saturday showed a group of Michigan State players surrounding Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrow. A source told the Detroit News that U-M defensive back Gemon Green was also part of the altercation.

"What happened after the game is completely unacceptable," Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said. "This is not how we should interact after a game. This is not the way another team should grab a player and do what they did. It's completely and totally unacceptable. This is not what a rivalry should be about, not how it should be remembered. For that to happen is unacceptable."

Manuel added police are "addressing" the situation, and the school is leaving it in their hands.

University of Michigan Deputy Chief of Police Melissa Overton released this statement on the incident with Michigan State in the tunnel at Michigan Stadium. pic.twitter.com/zwGqAkWXDU

— Tom VanHaaren (@TomVH) October 30, 2022

Saturday's game took place at Michigan Stadium, home of the Wolverines. U-M scored a 29-7 win to remain undefeated at 8-0.

The postgame altercation has overshadowed the contest, however, and Harbaugh said Monday it seems like a "very, very open-and-shut" case.

"Right now, we have an ongoing police investigation. What happened in the tunnel was egregious," Harbaugh said. "It's sickening to watch the videos, the ones that are on social media right now, and also the ABC tunnel cam that's in a higher elevation and shows much more of what took place."

He added both U-M players involved suffered injuries and stated Green's status for Saturday's road game against Rutgers is uncertain.

"It's been a challenge. It's been traumatic," Harbaugh said. "But we're in it right now. So, we'll face the challenge head on and support our players in every way possible."

Michigan State, which stands at 3-5 after Saturday's loss, is also back in action Saturday, facing another road test against No. 14 Illinois.

The Michigan State Spartans lost more than just Saturday's game against the archrival Michigan Wolverines.

The postgame altercation between a number of Spartans and far fewer Wolverines made headlines, and Michigan State announced it suspended safety Angelo Grose, linebacker Itayvion Brown, cornerback Khary Crump and defensive end Zion Young.

Michigan State's announcement said it decided on the punishments "after reviewing the disturbing electronic evidence collected." It also said it is working with law enforcement to review the situation.

As Larry Lage of the Associated Press noted, the scuffle happened in the tunnel after the game, with social media posts capturing multiple Spartans getting physical with Michigan defensive back Ja'Den McBurrows. It's unclear at the moment what led to the altercation.

"I'm extremely saddened by this incident and the unacceptable behavior depicted by members of our football program," Michigan State president Samuel Stanley said. "On behalf of Michigan State University, my heartfelt apology to the University of Michigan and the student athletes who were injured.

"There is no provocation that could justify the behavior we are seeing on the videos. Rivalries can be intense but should never be violent."

Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker tweeted that there was "no excuse" for the incident:

https://twitter.com/Coach_mtucker/status/1586708504739549184

"Two of our players were assaulted," Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh said. "I saw on the one video. Ten-on-one. It was pretty bad. It needs to be investigated."

Michigan State's announcement said the investigation is still ongoing even though it decided on the four suspensions.

The Spartans are 3-5 on the season and one of the most disappointing teams in the country after they went 11-2 last season and won the Peach Bowl against Pittsburgh. Next up is a road trip to face the 7-1 Illinois Fighting Illini, and they will presumably be without those players.

Grose is the most notable of the players who may be missing, as he has 53 tackles and four passes defended on the season. Young has 21 tackles and one sack.