Updating Projected Week 1 Starters for Michigan State's Defense

There are reasons to believe that Michigan State's defense can take a step forward this year in Year 1 under Pat Fitzgerald and Year 3 under Joe Rossi as defensive coordinator.

MSU has a solid group of starters out there right now. Questions remain, such as depth at the defensive line or in the secondary, but it's easy to see the vision for each member of the starting 11 below. (If you're curious, my projected offensive starters can be found RIGHT HERE)

Defensive End: Keahnist Thompson

Weber State transfer Keahnist Thompson seems to be in line to be the Spartans' starting defensive end. He made 4.0 sacks and 7.0 tackles for loss last year in nine games and starts, including a big 1.5-sack day against Big 12 opponent Arizona. MSU's pass rush has struggled a lot in recent years, and it's hoping Thompson can be a part of a turnaround there.

Rush End: Kenny Soares Jr.

NC State transfer Kenny Soares Jr. has been a big riser this camp. He was already the starting rush end, but his teammates' decision to name him "The Spartan" and give him the No. 1 jersey was certainly interesting. Soares has never been in a true pass-rushing role before. NCSU was going to put him on the EDGE, but injuries at linebacker had him move back there.

DT1: Ben Roberts

Michigan State's top defensive tackle this year is Ben Roberts. He started in six of the seven games he played in last fall, but injuries kept him out for a big chunk of the year. When healthy, "Big Worm" can be an effective run-stopper at MSU at 6'3" and 325 pounds. The question is just whether he can stay on the field.

DT2: Eli Coenen

April 18, 2026; East Lansing, Mich.; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. (23) and defensive lineman Eli Coenen (96) walk together during MSU's "Spring Showcase" at Spartan Stadium. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Illinois transfer Eli Coenen should provide some more speed at defensive tackle. He's 6'6" and 287 pounds, and he looked like the quickest and most violent player at his position while I was observing the defensive tackles go through drills on Monday morning. Coenen began his career at Division II Bemidji State, spending two years there before going to Illinois, where he got more snaps as the year went on in 2025.

MLB: Jordan Hall

Senior linebacker Jordan Hall should be the star of the defense once again. He had 88 total tackles last year with 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and an interception. That was enough for him to get Honorable Mention All-Big Ten honors. Another step forward likely means something more prestigious than that and a probable NFL Draft declaration, even though Hall will have the option to return in 2027.

OLB: Caleb Wheatland

This is one change from my last projection. I had thought Buffalo transfer Dion Crawford might make more sense as an outside linebacker with his pass-rushing numbers, but things seem to be trending in Auburn transfer Caleb Wheatland's direction. He has plenty of experience from his time at Maryland, where he moved a bit between middle and weak-side backer.

CB1: Charles Brantley

Cam Edward — Michigan State's Charles Brantley, left, celebrates with Ken Talley after an interception against Prairie View A&M during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Brantley's interception was called back on a penalty. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

With good health, Charles Brantley should pick back up where he left off as Michigan State's top cornerback. He was one of the Spartans' defensive stars in 2024 before transferring to Miami (FL) last offseason. Brantley only appeared in three games for "The U," though, which allowed him to keep his final year and return to East Lansing. He's been limited a bit during the spring and early in the fall, but Rossi says "he'll be taking the restrictors off here in a little bit."

CB2: Tre Bell

Tre Bell was another one of MSU's more well-regarded portal pickups. He's coming over from Iowa State, also following cornerbacks coach Hank Poteat. Bell started eight games for the Cyclones last season and played in all 12, picking off two passes.

Nickel: Michael Richard

Michigan State defensive back Michael Richard goes through drills during the first day of fall camp on Thursday, August 6, 2026. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Louisiana Tech transfer Michael Richard should commonly be Michigan State's fifth defensive back. He intercepted three passes last year for the Bulldogs, with one of them coming against an SEC opponent. Richard is another MSU player who gained another year of eligibility with the new 5-in-5 landscape.

FS: Nikai Martinez

Retaining Nikai Martinez was another big victory of the offseason. He was one of Michigan State's most reliable defenders in 202, but he only played four games last year due to injuries; MSU's numbers took a dip as a result. The silver lining of those injuries, though, is that they let him redshirt during what was supposed to be his final college season.

SS: Devin Vaught

Michigan State safety Devin Vaught goes through drills during the first day of training camp on Thursday, August 6, 2026. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Maine transfer Devin Vaught should also be the starter at strong safety. He's picked off six total passes in the last two seasons at the FCS level, getting three during his redshirt freshman and sophomore seasons.

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