Michigan State Spartan Football DC Joe Rossi, DL Coach Legi Suiaunoa Talk Use of the "Rush End"

Michigan State football's new defensive coordinator, Joe Rossi, and DL Coach Legi Suiaunoa are implementing a defense that uses a "rush end."

With a new regime in East Lansing, Michigan State football is inserting new systems within its program, which have been introduced to the players throughout spring practice.

New Spartans defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has implemented a defense with a "rush end," a more athletic defensive end who can rush and cover.

"So, over the years, when we first started kind of running it, it was just more of a weak-side end," Rossi told reporters after the Spartans' spring practice on Tuesday. "As the years went on, we kind of transitioned it to more of a stand-up. I think the vision helps that player, the ability to cover; being on your feet kind of helps you with that.

"And so, I think that's where it kind of made a little bit of a transition some years back. That guy has got to really be able to do two things: They got to rush the passer, and then, they got to be athletic enough to be able to drop into coverage and play in space.

"And those players, over the years, in our defense, have been -- we've had some really good players who have been talented who have been play-maker type guys for us. And so, that's kind of what we're looking for."

Michigan State defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa explained the benefit of having a rush end.

"There's really not too much different," he said. "Obviously, being an inside guy and outside guy, I think it's structured in a way that each individual player gets that attention he needs to be the best football player he can be. Coach [Chad] Wilt's [rush ends coach] done an exceptional job throughout his career developing players.

"So, that's really the advantage that it gives us. There is some little intricacies in terms of what makes them a little bit different, but in the grand scheme of things, we have an end that can play rush, and we got rushes that can play end."

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spring Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.

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