Michigan State Welcomes Lefty QB in Spring Practice

Offensive coordinator John McNulty says handedness is no issue for Spartans' QB competition.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 7:41pm

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A fragmented, cubist-style painting depicting the motion of a quarterback throwing a football, with the player's form broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team's green, white, and bronze colors.Michigan State's open-minded approach to evaluating quarterback talent is reflected in its embrace of a left-handed passer during spring practice.East Lansing Today

Michigan State's football team is embracing a left-handed quarterback, Alessio Milivojevic, as he competes for the starting job during spring practice. Offensive coordinator John McNulty says Milivojevic's unorthodox throwing motion and spin is no big deal, as the coaching staff focuses on developing the young QB's skills.

Why it matters

Lefty quarterbacks are relatively rare in college football, so Michigan State's willingness to give Milivojevic a fair shot at the starting role signals an open-minded approach to evaluating talent. The Spartans are hoping Milivojevic's unique skill set can give their offense a competitive edge.

The details

Milivojevic, a redshirt sophomore, is one of several quarterbacks competing to replace graduated starter Payton Thorne. While his left-handed throwing motion may take some getting used to, offensive coordinator John McNulty says the coaching staff is focused on developing Milivojevic's overall abilities rather than worrying about his handedness.

  • Michigan State held spring practice on March 17, 2026.
  • The Spartans are preparing for the upcoming 2026 college football season.

The players

Alessio Milivojevic

A redshirt sophomore quarterback competing for the starting job at Michigan State.

John McNulty

The offensive coordinator for the Michigan State football team.

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What they’re saying

“It curls a different way. It spins a different way,”

— John McNulty, Offensive Coordinator

What’s next

Michigan State will continue to evaluate its quarterback competition throughout spring practice and into fall camp as they prepare for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Michigan State's willingness to give a left-handed quarterback a fair shot at the starting job shows the program's open-minded approach to developing talent and finding the best fit for their offense, regardless of unconventional attributes.