The fifth quarterback and the American flag: How Peyton Babbitt earned Pat Fitzgerald’s attention

Peyton Babbitt arrived at Michigan State as a walk-on quarterback, buried deep enough on the depth chart that playing time was always going to be difficult to find.

That did not stop the freshman from finding another way to be noticed.

When the Spartans needed someone to carry the American flag out of the tunnel before Saturday’s game against Nebraska, head coach Pat Fitzgerald selected Babbitt – a player who has yet to take a college snap but has already begun to embody what Fitzgerald wants Michigan State’s program to become.

“We didn’t have a special teams player of the week last week,” Fitzgerald said. “That typically is the person that carries us out of the tunnel with the flag, the Stars and Stripes.”

Without an obvious choice from the previous game, Fitzgerald went looking for someone whose contributions had occurred farther from public view.

During a staff meeting, Fitzgerald asked how Michigan State’s developmental players were performing in the weight room and behind the scenes. Babbitt’s name surfaced because of his leadership, work ethic, and attitude.

A few days later, Fitzgerald received an academic update. Babbitt’s name came up again.

“So, guess what?” Fitzgerald said. “Peyton Babbitt led us out of the locker room.”

The honor offered a brief introduction to a player who could otherwise remain anonymous during his first season in East Lansing. Babbitt is a 6-foot, 200-pound freshman from Muskegon who finished his high school career at Orchard View.

He captained the Cardinals and played throughout the lineup, contributing at quarterback, safety, kick returner, kicker, and long snapper. As a junior in 2024, Babbitt passed for 1,084 yards and 15 touchdowns while rushing for 503 yards and four more scores, earning first-team All-West Michigan Conference honors.

An injury limited him to four games as a senior, but his versatility never disappeared. In an October comeback victory over Shelby, Babbitt threw for 205 yards and two touchdowns while adding 105 yards and two more scores on the ground.

At Michigan State, his assignments are less glamorous. He runs the scout team, fills whatever practice role is needed, and continues working despite having little immediate opportunity to see the field.

“He jumps in practice,” Fitzgerald said. “He’s running scout this, scout that – ‘I’ll jump in and play receiver. I’ll play running back.’”

That willingness is important to Fitzgerald as he attempts to establish the culture of his program. The Spartans need their most prominent players to lead, but Fitzgerald also wants the same investment from the players whose names don't appear in a box score.

“That unselfish nature is something we’re working our tails off to build with each locker, with each man in the locker room,” Fitzgerald said. “We’re proud of PB. That’s what I’m going back to – we need everybody.”

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