There are jersey numbers, and then there are numbers that carry meaning.
For Michigan State football, the No. 1 jersey has quickly become one of the program’s highest honors, and this season, that honor belongs to Kenny Soares Jr. The veteran EDGE defender earned the jersey through a team vote, becoming the first player under head coach Pat Fitzgerald to wear the number as the player who best represents what it means to be a Spartan.
The tradition isn’t about statistics or star power. It’s about leadership, accountability, toughness, and setting the standard every day. Fitzgerald brought the tradition with him to East Lansing, making the No. 1 jersey something players must earn rather than simply choose. After a vote from his teammates, Soares was selected as the player most deserving of that responsibility.
A Leader Earns the Team’s Respect
Soares arrived at Michigan State as an experienced transfer after stops at Northwestern and NC State. Now entering his final college season, the 6-foot-2, 234-pound edge rusher has quickly made an impact, not only with his play but with the way he carries himself around the program.
Being voted into the No. 1 jersey by teammates speaks volumes. It shows the respect he has earned inside the locker room, where leadership often means more than anything accomplished on Saturdays.
For a Michigan State team beginning a new era under Fitzgerald, Soares has become one of the players helping establish the culture the coaching staff wants to build.
Setting the Tone for 2026
Michigan State is counting on Soares to be a difference-maker off the edge this season. He projects as one of the leaders of a defensive front that features several new faces but plenty of talent. His experience in Fitzgerald’s defensive system also gives him an opportunity to help younger teammates adjust while leading by example on the field.
The No. 1 jersey adds another layer of responsibility, but it’s one Soares appears ready to embrace.
More Than Just a Number
Some jersey numbers become iconic because of the players who wear them. Others become iconic because of what they represent.
At Michigan State, No. 1 is becoming a symbol of leadership, toughness, and representing the program the right way every day. Kenny Soares Jr. earned that honor through the respect of his teammates, making him the first Spartan to carry the tradition into a new era under Pat Fitzgerald.
As the 2026 season approaches, Soares won’t just be chasing quarterbacks—he’ll also be setting the standard for what it means to wear the Green and White.
