MSU's Usage of DBs Grose, Tatum to be Determined

The Michigan State football program has two versatile defensive backs in Angelo Grose and Dillon Tatum, but their roles in this new defense have yet to be decided.

Oct 14, 2023; Piscataway, New Jersey, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive back Angelo Grose (15) / Vincent Carchietta-USA TODAY Sports

With Michigan State football's new systems, returning Spartans may not have the same roles as they did last season.

MSU defensive backs Angelo Grose and Dillon Tatum are two defensive backs who can take on a variety of roles, which can be exciting for a new regime that may want to use its weapons differently than the one that came before them.

Grose will be entering his fifth season with the Spartans and has played both safety and nickelback for MSU in that time. Tatum, meanwhile, will be going into his third season with the Spartans, which enters him in to veteran status. The soon-to-be junior gained valuable experience as a starter at cornerback last season and can also be used as an asset on special teams.

New Spartans defensive coordinator Joe Rossi told reporters on Tuesday that Grose and Tatum's roles next season are still in the process of being determined.

"We're still figuring that out," Rossi said. "And then, that's not a cop-out; it's just, it's the truth. Because here's what I would say: If we were implementing a new scheme and having guys play three different positions and learn it all new, that doesn't make sense. That's my fault, right?

"So, those guys got to get a position, they got to work at it, they got to learn it, and then, as they feel comfortable with that initial one, then you start to introduce some variety and some different things. But both of them are physical, both of them are athletic and both of them are smart guys. So, those types of guys, you can do multiple things with, but we're kind of in the beginning stages."

Grose finished the 2023 season with a second-place tie on the team in total tackles (72), as well as a first-place tie for passes defensed (seven), which included his two interceptions, a career-best. He made six starts at nickelback and four at safety while playing in all 12 games.

Tatum took a big leap from his freshman season to the 2023 season, making eight starts in nine games before, unfortunately, suffering a season-ending injury. He led the Spartans with seven pass break-ups and recorded 45 tackles.

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