Spartan Football's Defensive Ends Among the Nation's Elite!

The Spartans have been loading up on both the offensive and defensive lines and the depth is really starting to pay off. The spring roster features linemen on both sides of the ball that are capable of winning Big Ten championships. Furthermore, they are stacked two and three deep at each position and boast athletes that provide a change of pace and fresh legs.

This is particularly true on the defensive side of the ball where MSU has amassed athletes throughout the front four capable of shutting down opponents and high-powered offenses. The defensive end position is crucial. Good play from the defensive ends can change the way teams line up. It changes the way teams game plan. It forces good QB’s to make tough decisions. When a QB rushes his throw or his progression, defenses thrive and turnovers occur. Marcus Rush and Will Gholston provided us numerous examples last season often times taking over the football game.

MSU is loaded returning both Gholston and Rush. Both are All Big Ten caliber and both have very capable backups as well. Joel Heath (6’6”, 277#) and Shilique “the freak” Calhoun (6’4”, 245#) inject another wave of talent into the MSU defense that allows MSU to remain fresh on the edge.

Heath has been called William Gholston part II and Calhoun has been compared to Julian Peterson. Not a bad rep for a couple of young pups. They will line up this fall as RS-freshmen. Heath had this to say about his redshirt year. “Looking back (on the redshirt year) it was definitely worth it… right now I’m not complaining about it… it was worth it in the long run. I’m getting a lot better. I’m still learning.”

The Big Ten features offensive tackles that are big and powerful. Virtually every team in the conference lines up with 300 pound plus offensive tackles.  Big, athletic and assignment sound DE’s can be the difference between wins and losses on Saturday. MSU has a four-man rotation that will rival any team in the country. Gholston will be on every preseason All America watch list and Rush will get his fair share of ink as well.

The addition of Heath and Calhoun give MSU two more exceptional athletes that have the ability to provide depth and will keep all four guys at full go all the time. They will have the ability to overwhelm opposing tackles and help the back line create interceptions.

Michigan State is looking to replace their defensive tackles with the departure of Kevin Pickelman and All-American Jerel Worthy. Anthony Rashad White and Tyler Hoover bring experience to those positions, but both Pick and Worthy will be tough to replace. With the depth behind White and Hoover and the improved depth at defensive end, I believe the defensive line will be better than they were a year ago. The improved play at linebacker will also help make up for any loss up front. This defense will be ranked #1 in the nation at the end of the season.