One national writer is simply not high on the Spartans starting quarterback following spring ball.
CBS Sports has released their post-spring rankings of the power four quarterbacks and Michigan State’s Alessio Milivojevic was near the bottom of the list. Of the 68 quarterbacks included in the list, Milivojevic came out No. 65 overall. Among Big Ten teams, he was the second lowest quarterback, ahead of only Iowa’s Jeremy Hecklinski.
Here’s what Brad Crawford of CBS Sports had to say about Milivojevic:
“As a redshirt freshman for the Spartans, Milivojevic showed promise with 10 touchdown passes and three interceptions, including six scores over his final two starts against Iowa and Maryland. Michigan State needs further development from Milivojevic to find first-year success under Pat Fitzgerald, especially after top wideout Nick Marsh transferred to Indiana.”
It’s hard to argue with what Crawford had to say about Milivojevic but also this low of a ranking seems a little rough. Statistics aren’t everything but Milivojevic had a comparable statistical season to rival quarterback Bryce Underwood, but his five-star rating (and obvious clear future pro tools) has him ranked in the top 25. I’m not ready to make a case for Milivojevic over Underwood as that’s simply not a great stance (at least at this point in time), but the gap of 40-plus spots in the rankings is an example of how Milivojevic is probably being slept on by the national media.
In early March before spring practice began, Milivojevic was also considered one of the worst power four starting quarterbacks by ESPN. He came in at No. 64 out of 68 teams in that rankings list from ESPN so this is clearly a common trend nationally for Milivojevic, which is something I firmly believe he’ll flip by the end of the season.
Milivojevic has already been named the Spartans starter for next season, so he’ll get his first chance to change his national narrative on September 4 against Toledo. The 2026 season will be here before we know it.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Spartans’ Alessio Milivojevic ranked as one of worst P4 starting QBs
Reporting by Robert Bondy, Spartans Wire / Spartans Wire
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
