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Kenny Soares Jr. earns No. 1 jersey honor at Michigan State football

3 sources • 1 min read • Latest: Aug 7, 2026, 9:55 AM

Last updated Aug 7, 2026

Kenny Soares Jr. earns No. 1 jersey honor at Michigan State football

Summary

Kenny Soares Jr. has been voted by his Michigan State football teammates to wear the No. 1 jersey, an honor designated for players who exemplify the values of the program, as stated by head coach Pat Fitzgerald. Soares, a transfer defensive end originally from Trumbull, Connecticut, previously played at Northwestern and North Carolina State. This selection emphasizes teamwork and selflessness, qualities Fitzgerald highlighted at Big Ten media days. Soares participated in the Spartans' opening practice wearing No. 23 but will have the chance to don No. 1 if he chooses for the upcoming season.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Kenny Soares Jr. is a graduate transfer from North Carolina State.
•He won a team vote to wear Michigan State's No. 1 jersey.
•Pat Fitzgerald created the No. 1 honor to represent team values.
•Soares had 80 tackles last season at North Carolina State.
•He participated in MSU's opening practice wearing No. 23.

Latest Updates

9:55 AMYahoo Sports — New Michigan State football DE Kenny Soares Jr. is 'The Spartan' No. 1

What they're saying

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Transfer defensive end Kenny Soares Jr. will have a chance to wear No. 1 for Michigan State football after winning a vote of his new teammates.
— Yahoo Sports

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