Milly V Returns at QB

Stability, Experience, and a Better Environment

2025 Recap: Limited and Under Pressure

The 2025 Michigan State passing offense was semi-functional at best but capped by circumstance.

From a macro view, the Spartans shockingly landed squarely in the middle of the FBS in pass rate and volume, but well below average in efficiency and explosiveness:

• Pass Play %: 51.9% (37th)

• Completion %: 62.5% (56th)

• Yards per Attempt: 6.9 (79th)

• Pass Yards/Game: 218.4 (76th)

• INT Rate: 1.43% (7th)

• QB Sack Rate: 9.59% (127th)

• 3rd Down Conversion: 33% (114th)

The last three numbers stand out. MSU protected the football extremely well (6 INTs across both QBs), but quarterbacks were consistently under siege. The result was an offense that struggled to push the ball and rarely played on schedule.

Chiles Departs, Milivojevic Emerges as the Constant

With Aidan Chiles entering the portal, Alessio Milivojevic becomes the unquestioned returning piece in the room, and his 2025 production gives MSU something it lacked for most of the season: predictability.

Milivojevic finished the year with:

• 1,267 passing yards

• 64.2% completion rate

• 10 TDs, 3 INTs

• 141.3 passer rating

• PFF Pass Grade: 70.2

The most important context comes from the final four games, when he logged full starts and a true QB1 workload:

• Consistent 60–70% completion games

• Two 250+ yard performances (Iowa, Maryland)

• 6 total TDs over the final stretch

• Improved comfort attacking intermediate windows

• All fans would agree that he did this while getting knocked on his ass every other play, and always getting back up.

While the offense still struggled to run consistently, Milivojevic showed he:

• Protects the ball

• Wins from the pocket

• Delivers in high-leverage situations when asked to throw 30–40 times

• Is tough as nails

He may not be a creator-heavy quarterback, but he profiles as a steady distributor. And the type who benefits most from structure and support.

Fancher Adds Depth, Experience, and Tactical Flexibility

The portal addition of Cam Fancher quietly raises the ceiling of the entire QB room.

Fancher arrives with:

• 5,600+ career passing yards

• 1,200+ career rushing yards

• Multiple seasons as a starter

• Proven experience in spread and QB-run concepts

I won't bullshit you that he's a quality throwing QB, he's not. As MSU fans witnessed firsthand in 2025. But at minimum, he provides a high-floor QB2 with real game reps, and a rushing threat. PFF supports this:

• Pass Grade: 54.0

• Run Grade: 73.5

More importantly, he unlocks optionality:

• Short-yardage and red-zone QB run packages

• Change-of-pace series to stress defensive rules

• Insurance if pass protection or game script breaks down

This is no longer a one-style room. MSU can tailor concepts to the opponent and situation without overhauling the offense.

Weapons on the outside Limited

MSU needs to replace 161 receptions from WR/TE on last years team. This is led by the departures of Marsh (59 receptions in 2025), Kelly (47 receptions in 2025), Velling (36 receptions in 2025), and Masunas (19 receptions in 2025). The page now turns to McCracy and a cast of unknowns. MSU is only returning 42 receptions from last year's roster. And added two WRs through the portal with a combined 23 career receptions. We simply don't have the WR and/or TE weapons as the roster is currently constructed to make up that gap. I expect the volume to be much more balanced and less top-heavy.

Check out our WR Room Analysis here.

It Starts Up Front: Why the OL Matters for This QB Room

The 2025 sack rate wasn’t a quarterback issue; it was an environment issue.

With the offensive line undergoing both talent and cohesion upgrades, the passing game should benefit immediately in three ways:

1. Cleaner early downs → fewer 3rd-and-long situations

2. More time for intermediate routes → Milivojevic’s strength

3. Less need for hot reads and throwaways

Even modest protection gains would disproportionately help this QB room, which already ranked top-10 nationally in interception avoidance.

The QB’s Best Friend: A Better Run Game and Receiving Backs

The running back room upgrade matters just as much for the passing game as it does on the stat sheet.

With improved RB talent:

• Defenses are forced into heavier boxes

• Play-action becomes credible again

• Checkdowns turn into positive plays instead of bailouts

Just as important: this RB group brings real receiving ability, which:

• Reduces pressure on unproven WR depth

• Gives Milivojevic quick, efficient answers vs pressure

• Fits naturally with Fancher’s dual-threat skill set

To that end, I think Parrish can be a viable receiving back and designed Touch Weapon, Not a Route Runner. The numbers are loud:

• 77.5% of targets came behind the LOS

• 29 catches on 31 targets (93.5%)

• 154 yards | 5.3 YAC per catch

• Elite receiving grade: 84.7

• Drop grade: 88.9

At the same time, Edwards offers a slightly different skill set in the receiving game

• Behind LOS - 40% - Screen, check downs

• Short (0-9) - 54% - Angle, flat and outlet

• Medium - 5%

The receiving data highlights how cleanly Michigan State’s backfield roles now fit together. Cam Edwards brings legitimate three-down value, with the ability to run short-area routes, serve as a reliable outlet, and create yards after the catch within structure. Marvis Parrish, meanwhile, thrives on manufactured touches behind the line of scrimmage, where his speed and vision turn space into production. Together, they give MSU flexibility rather than redundancy — a true every-down back paired with a designed-touch weapon.

Bottom Line: A Passing Game Positioned to Take a Step Forward

No one should expect MSU to suddenly become a pass-heavy, explosive offense.

But the conditions around the quarterback are materially better:

• A returning starter with momentum

• A veteran dual-threat QB2

• Improved offensive line play

• A deeper, more versatile RB room

For Milivojevic especially, the ask is simple: distribute, protect the football, and let the structure do the work.

If those pieces come together, the 2026 passing game doesn’t need to be spectacular; it just needs to be on schedule, efficient, and complementary.

And going into 2026, that feels realistic.