Jaxon Kohler’s glowing praise for freshmen Cam Ward and Jordan Scott has fans buzzing with anticipation about Michigan State’s future. During the 2025 Big Ten Media Days, Michigan State sent a strong delegation headed by Tom Izzo and featuring key players Jaxon Kohler, Jeremy Fears Jr., Coen Carr, and Carson Cooper, who all shared their perspectives on the team's past success and upcoming season. But here's where it gets controversial—while many focus on the stars and transfers, Kohler’s insights on the freshmen almost flew under the radar, and this is the part most people miss.
Kohler, stepping into a pivotal leadership role as a first-time team captain, embraced his responsibilities with confidence. When asked about the new talents, he didn’t hold back his admiration. He highlighted Cam Ward as one of the physical forces he’s ever faced as a Spartan—a testament not just to Ward’s strength but his tenacity and potential impact on both ends of the court. Then, turning to Jordan Scott, Kohler described him as "a sniper from deep," emphasizing Scott's sharpshooting ability from beyond the three-point line.
To put it plainly, these aren’t just rookie compliments; Kohler’s comments reveal a deep respect for these freshmen’s skills and hint at how integral they could become to the team’s dynamics. Consider this: Izzo identified just two spots to fill in the 2025 recruiting class, and by all appearances, he made perfect choices. His reputation for spotting talent is elite, and early reports from Kohler back this up.
While Kohler quietly played down offseason transfer rumors—both he and teammate Coen Carr confirmed they never entertained moving—his focus remained firmly on the strength of the current roster and the promising newcomers.
And here’s an intriguing point that might spark debate: even though the freshmen may not get heavy minutes immediately, Izzo and Kohler both hinted at a bright future for these players at Michigan State. This raises a question that fans and analysts can ponder: should the program invest more in instant freshmen impact, or focus on developing them steadily for long-term success?
In sum, Kohler’s perspective offers a compelling early look at two rising stars, firing up excitement for the Spartans’ season ahead. The question now is—do you agree with Kohler’s high praise? Or do you think the freshmen still have a big hill to climb before making a real impact? Share your thoughts below and join the conversation.
