Despite limited national attention, Milivojevic enters his first full season as the Spartans’ starting quarterback with momentum, proven efficiency, and a skill set that fits today’s college game. If Michigan State takes a step forward under its new coaching staff, don’t be surprised if Milivojevic becomes one of the conference’s breakout stars.
While not being the most talented or most talked about quarterback in the Big Ten, he is certainly a player that has flown under the radar.
He Already Passed the Eye Test
Milivojevic wasn’t expected to take over Michigan State’s offense last season, but once he earned the starting job late in the year, the Spartans immediately became more competitive through the air. Rather than looking overwhelmed, the redshirt sophomore displayed poise beyond his years.
Michigan State fans were a little nervous at first seeing Milivojevic come into the game for in injured Chiles at Nebraska. The only sample size that the Spartans had were two passes total in his career, where both resulted in interceptions, one being a pick six.
He silenced the doubters immediately, because he made the most of his nine appearances during the 2025 season. He completed 64.2 percent of his passes for 1,267 yards with 10 touchdowns and only three interceptions, producing one of the better touchdown-to-interception ratios among returning Big Ten quarterbacks.
More importantly, he protected the football while still pushing the ball downfield, something the Spartans struggled with offensively in many games.
Efficiency Matters More Than Flash
He’s a rhythm passer who consistently delivers the football on time, makes sound decisions, and rarely forces unnecessary throws. His accuracy and willingness to work through progressions helped stabilize an offense that struggled with consistency before he entered the lineup.
Pro Football Focus graded him among the better quarterbacks in the conference after taking over the starting role, reinforcing what Michigan State fans saw on Saturdays.
Expectations Are Low
Preseason quarterback rankings generally place him near the bottom half of the conference despite his encouraging finish to last season.
History suggests those rankings often overlook quarterbacks making their first full-season jump. Confidence, continuity, and experience frequently lead to dramatic improvements between a player’s first and second year as a starter.
The Big Ten is loaded with star quarterbacks, making it easy for a player like Alessio Milivojevic to get overlooked.
