3 Questions for Michigan State Football’s Defense Before Spring Practice

The Spartans need to improve dramatically on the defensive side of the ball...

With March underway, most attention is on college basketball at this time of year. However, spring football is right around the corner for Michigan State as well, and while no exact date has been announced yet for the spring game, it's expected that the Spartans will begin spring practices sometime soon.

Head coach Mel Tucker is entering his fourth season in East Lansing, with three of his own recruiting classes filling the majority of MSU’s roster. The 2023 team will be mainly built from players that Tucker recruited into his program, which will provide a good evaluation of where things are headed at Michigan State.

The Spartans’ defense has struggled under Tucker, which is surprising given his background as a defensive coach. In 2021, Michigan State had the worst pass defense in the country, in terms of yards allowed per game. They improved to 87th out of 131 in that category last season, but that still did not meet program expectations.

With a young defense made up of Tucker recruits, it’s time for Michigan State’s defense to take a significant step forward. Here are three questions for the unit heading into spring practice:

1.) Who is going to play safety and nickelback?

Michigan State shuffled the defensive backs a lot last season, and they will likely need to do some shuffling again in 2023. With senior safeties Xavier Henderson and Kendall Brooks both gone, the Spartans lose leadership and experience at that position.

Who is in line to step up as a playmaker and a leader at safety?

Angelo Grose, a senior, returns in 2023 but he was moved from safety to nickleback mid-way through the season last year. Grose’s pass coverage was a liability and a hole in MSU’s defense over the last two seasons, but he is a sure tackler. His continued development is crucial for the Spartan’s success this year.

Three rising sophomores are also competing for starting jobs at strong safety, free safety and nickelback — Jaden Mangham, Dillion Tatum and Malik Spencer. Mangham and Tatum are two former four-star recruits that started multiple games last season. Spencer contributed later in the year and Henderson spoke highly of him. Redshirt sophomore AJ Kirk, sophomore Malcolm Jones and senior Justin White are other defensive backs who could compete for these three spots.

Safety is one of the youngest position groups on the team right now. Every one of these players got meaningful game experience last season, and spring will show who has improved the most during the offseason so far. This will be one of the biggest open competitions throughout spring and fall camp.

2.) Which true freshmen could contribute right away?

The defensive staff got some big-time players in the 2023 class. Four of the seven incoming defensive freshman were four-star prospects coming out of high school.

Pass-rush specialist Brandon T. Jordan played a big role in this class, helping Michigan State land four-star defensive linemen Jalen Thompson, Andrew Dapaepe and Bai Jobe. In recent news, Jordan took a job in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, but his short time in East Lansing could pay dividends for years to come with these three guys.

Jobe was a standout in the Army All-American Bowl, flashing his potential as a future Spartan. At 6-foot-4 and 225 pounds, he has great length and frame for an edge rusher. Jobe will need to add weight in Michigan State’s strength and conditioning program this spring and summer, but he’s a candidate for early playing time this fall.

The Spartans added four-star linebacker Jordan Hall in this past recruiting class as well. Hall was a standout at the Under Armour All-American game, and at 6-foot-2, 225 pounds, he already looks like a college player. Hall has been vocal in the weightroom this winter and early spring, and is looking like a future leader on the defense.

Michigan State’s 4-2-5 defense limits the number of linebackers who play on the field together, and the Spartans have all but one of their 2022 linebackers returning in 2023. With that said, Hall may be too good to keep off the field. This spring could provide a preview of what’s to come from him this season.

3.) What position will Jacoby Windmon play?

Windmon was easily Michigan State’s best defensive player in 2022, and he moved all over the field as a result. Windmon played linebacker at UNLV prior to transferring to MSU, but was moved to defensive end at the start of last season. In his first game as a Spartan, he had four sacks and a forced fumble.

As injuries mounted for Michigan State during the season, Windmon moved back to linebacker but his high level of production continued. After starting the first eight games of the year, Windmon was suspended for the final five games due to his involvement in the now in-famous tunnel incident at Michigan Stadium. Despite this, Windmon still led Michigan State in sacks and tackles for loss, and led the country in forced fumbles.

The Spartans have more options at linebacker and defensive end in 2023, so Windmon could play in any number of positions this fall. He’s one of Michigan State’s best players, and the coaching staff can use him to cover up weak areas that they identify during the spring. Because of that, Windmon’s position could be determined by the development of other players on the roster.