Michigan State Spartans name weekly captains versus Miami Hurricanes

The Michigan State Spartans have revealed its weekly captains for the showdown against the Miami Hurricanes on Saturday at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

While head coach Mel Tucker rotates captains each week, senior safety Xavier Henderson will captain the team for the third consecutive week. Henderson will be joined by graduate senior center Matt Allen and redshirt junior wide receiver Jayden Reed.

Henderson is off to a great start in 2021, leading the Spartans in total tackles (17), tackles for loss (three), sacks (two) and interceptions (one). He recorded eight tackles (one tackle for loss), a sack and an interception this past Saturday against Youngstown State. Henderson is the unquestioned leader for Michigan State.

Allen, who returned for a sixth year of eligibility this season after missing six games in 2020, was named a team captain for the first time this season. He has started both games in 2021 thus far, but has split reps at center with junior Nick Samac. Allen is a guy who has been around the program for a long time, and somebody who the other players can rely on to lead the program. He is also, of course, the brother of former Spartan greats, Jack and Brian Allen. Both Jack and Brian earned All-Big Ten selections multiple times, while Jack was a two-time All-American and Brian is the current starting center for the Los Angeles Rams.

Reed — who Joins Allen as a first-time captain this season — dominated the Youngstown State Penguins this past weekend with a ridiculous four catches for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Redshirt sophomore quarterback Payton Thorne found Reed on the first play of the game for a 75-yard touchdown, and the two later hooked up for an 85-yard score as well. So far this season, Reed leads MSU with nine receptions, 245 receiving yards, 27.2 yards per reception and two touchdowns. He also has the team’s longest play from scrimmage with the 85-yard touchdown catch.