Spring football is starting in the Mitten: Dates, what to watch for
The five Mitten programs begin spring practice in the next eight days, kicking off a critical run of practices to set the stage for the 2026 season.
Spring football has arrived, with one team starting practices as of today, and three more beginning on Tuesday.
It sets up a whirlwind month-plus of practices, as the five FBS schools get through 15 critical practices to set the stage for the spring and summer. Here’s a quick run down of important dates to know, plus some other notes on spring ball.
Spring dates of note
Spring practices begin this week, with Eastern Michigan kicking off practices on Monday and most of the teams starting on Tuesday, St. Patrick’s day. Western Michigan is starting a week later than the rest, on Mar. 17.
Spring practice opening date
Eastern Michigan: Mar. 16 (Monday)
Central Michigan: Mar. 17 (Tuesday)
Michigan: Mar. 17
Michigan State: Mar. 17
Western Michigan: Mar. 24 (Tuesday)
Spring game, end of spring practice dates
Eastern Michigan: Apr. 17 (Friday)
Michigan: Apr. 18 (Saturday)
Michigan State: Apr. 18
Central Michigan: Apr. 21 (Tuesday)
Western Michigan: Apr. 25 (Saturday)
Who is having a spring game in Michigan?
So far, it appears that Central Michigan will, going live on Tuesday, Apr. 21, under the lights. Eastern Michigan will also play a spring game, on Friday, Apr. 17, in the evening at Rynearson Stadium.
Michigan also announced a spring game, set for Saturday, Apr. 18, at Michigan Stadium.
Michigan State is going for the more modern spring showcase, also on Apr. 18, as Pat Fitzgerald and Kyle Whittingham will take the field in front of fans for the first time on the same day at their respective new stops.
Western Michigan’s plans are TBA, though the Broncos are likely to do some sort of modified showcase.
Some spring primer reading
So far, Mitten Football dove in on the Central Michigan quarterbacks and Eastern Michigan linebackers. More will come on the Michigan defensive line and MSU offensive line in short order, with some analysis on Western Michigan’s edge rushing situation due for later this week to preview the Broncos kicking off practices.
Read about the Chippewas and Eagles in the stories below.
Andrew Graham
Andrew Graham
Pro days this week
Both Central Michigan and Michigan State are holding pro days for NFL personnel this week.
Central Michigan’s will be Wednesday in the morning after a practice, and Michigan State’s will be Thursday afternoon.
Central Michigan has released a list of 14 pro day participants:
- RB Nahree Biggins
- LB Lawai’a Brown
- LB Dakota Cochran
- DL Jonathan Decker
- DL Dylan Fisher
- DB Elijah Gordon
- PK Cade Graham
- DL Michael Heldman
- LB Jordan Kwiatkowski
- QB Joe Labas
- LS Ben Pratt
- DB Elijah Rikard
- DB Akeem Snell
- DB Caleb Spann
Heldman is probably the best NFL prospect of the bunch, but Spann, Cochran and Kwiatkowski, among others, could garner some interest. A strong showing on Wednesday will certainly help their respective causes.
