College Watch - December 2025 - Michigan State - Toledo

Dec. 18, 2025 | By Dan Petts | Category: UndrRadar Spotlight

Michigan State entered the matchup with several players possessing varying degrees of professional potential, while Toledo featured a handful of intriguing college performers with overseas and developmental league projections. Here is a breakdown of the key prospects evaluated.

Coen Carr (Michigan State)

Position: Wing Forward
Height: 6'6"
Draft Outlook: 2027 NBA Draft
Class: Junior

Strengths

Carr possesses an elite athletic profile that immediately translates to the professional level. His combination of size, length, explosiveness, and lateral mobility allows him to defend multiple positions, including smaller guards on the perimeter. Defensively, he has the tools to become a genuine impact player capable of switching across lineups.

His physical gifts also provide significant upside in transition and as a complementary offensive piece.

Areas for Improvement

The offensive side of Carr's game remains underdeveloped. While the athletic tools are evident, his skill package lacks refinement and consistency. His shooting, ball handling, and overall offensive identity still require substantial development before he can maximize his physical advantages.

Projection

Carr profiles as one of the most intriguing long-term prospects in this game. His defensive versatility and NBA-caliber athleticism provide a foundation that professional organizations covet. If his offensive skill development progresses as expected, he has a realistic path toward becoming a draftable NBA prospect within the next two years.

Jaxon Kohler (Michigan State)

Position: Stretch Forward
Height: 6'9"
Draft Outlook: 2026 NBA Draft
Class: Senior

Strengths

Kohler fits the mold of a modern stretch forward. He moves well for his size, can space the floor as a catch-and-shoot threat, and consistently contributes on the glass. His defensive awareness and positional discipline allow him to remain effective without elite athletic tools.

Areas for Improvement

The primary concern is his finishing ability around the basket. Kohler struggles to convert efficiently in traffic and lacks consistent touch around the rim. As a result, much of his offensive value currently stems from perimeter play.

Projection

The shooting, mobility, and rebounding provide a strong foundation for a professional role. However, significant improvement as a finisher will be necessary if he is to elevate beyond a complementary stretch-four profile.

Carson Cooper (Michigan State)

Position: Center
Height: 6'11"
Draft Outlook: 2026 NBA Draft (lottery)
Class: Senior

Strengths

Cooper's greatest asset is his basketball IQ. He functions as a connective big who makes smart decisions, passes effectively, and rarely forces mistakes. Defensively, he offers valuable versatility by comfortably guarding multiple frontcourt positions and operating within team concepts.

Areas for Improvement

His offensive ceiling is limited by inconsistent low-post footwork and a lack of assertiveness as a scorer. Cooper does not consistently impose himself physically near the basket and could benefit from becoming a more aggressive finisher.

Projection

Cooper projects as a role-playing frontcourt contributor whose value will come from defensive flexibility, intelligence, and ball movement rather than scoring production. His pathway to professional basketball likely depends on embracing that role.

Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State)

Position: Point Guard
Height: 6'2"
Draft Outlook: 2028 NBA Draft
Class: Sophmore

Strengths

Fears possesses a strong frame for a lead guard and can finish effectively when he gains access to the paint. He maintains composure and competes with maturity despite limitations in other areas of his offensive game.

Areas for Improvement

Ball security remains a significant concern. Turnovers consistently limit his effectiveness, while his perimeter shooting currently allows defenders to play well off him. He also struggles to generate advantages for teammates as a creator.

Projection

At present, Fears does not project as an NBA prospect. Improved shooting efficiency and playmaking development will be necessary to alter that outlook.

Leroy Blyden Jr. (Toledo)

Position: Guard
Height: 6'0"
Draft Outlook: 2027 NBA Draft (Late Second Round / Two-Way Consideration)
Class: Freshman

Strengths

Blyden is a naturally confident scorer who thrives creating offense for himself. His floater game is particularly effective, and he demonstrates comfort operating in difficult scoring situations. His offensive mentality and shot-making ability could translate well to professional basketball overseas.

Areas for Improvement

Despite his scoring instincts, efficiency remains a concern. Shot selection can be questionable, and his shooting percentages do not consistently justify his volume. Additionally, his physical profile limits defensive versatility and NBA upside.

Projection

Blyden projects more favorably as a high-level European scoring guard than a traditional NBA prospect. Continued efficiency improvements could place him on the fringe of NBA consideration through a two-way or G-League pathway.

Austin Parks (Toledo)

Position: Center
Height: 6'10"
Draft Outlook: Overseas Professional (Second/Third Tier Europe)
Class: Junior

Strengths

Parks offers traditional interior size and can score effectively on the block when he establishes deep position. His low-post game remains productive against comparable college competition.

Areas for Improvement

The modern game presents challenges for Parks. Limited mobility, average athleticism, and a lack of rim-protecting presence reduce his effectiveness against faster and more dynamic opponents.

Projection

Parks projects as a situational post scorer at the professional level. While his size and interior scoring ability provide value, his athletic limitations significantly reduce NBA viability.

Overall Rankings

Tier 1 – Legitimate NBA Upside

  • Coen Carr (Michigan State) – Elite athletic profile and defensive versatility.

  • Jaxon Kohler (Michigan State) – Modern stretch-forward skill set with developmental upside.

Tier 2 – Fringe NBA / Developmental Prospects

  • Carson Cooper (Michigan State) – Intelligent role-playing big with defensive flexibility.

  • Leroy Blyden Jr. (Toledo) – Offensive-minded scoring guard with G-League potential.

Tier 3 – Professional Overseas Projection

  • Sean Craig (Toledo)

  • Austin Parks (Toledo)

Long-Term Watchlist

  • Jeremy Fears Jr. (Michigan State) – Young guard who requires significant shooting and playmaking development but still has time to improve.

Best NBA Prospect: Coen Carr
Highest Floor: Carson Cooper
Best Offensive Creator: Leroy Blyden Jr.
Best Long-Term Developmental Prospect: Coen Carr
Most Likely International Career: Sean Craig / Austin Parks