Credit: USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
Rush end Kenny Soares Jr. voted ‘The Spartan,’ earns MSU's No. 1 jersey
Soares, a North Carolina State transfer, was voted as "The Spartan" by his teammates. He can wear the No. 1 jersey or a helmet decal.
Michigan State opened 2026 fall camp with its first practice on Thursday, and by the end of the day, redshirt senior EDGE Kenny Soares Jr. was named “The Spartan” following a team vote.
Soares — who will play the rush end position for the Spartans after spending the majority of his career as a linebacker — has won the right to wear the No. 1 jersey.
After wearing the No. 23 for the Spartans during spring practices in March and April, Soares will now have the option to switch his jersey to No. 1 or to keep his original number and wear a helmet decal to show off the honor of being voted as “The Spartan.”
