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Michigan State Football: How will Spartans look in Mel Tucker’s 2nd season?

By Jackson Caudell

Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the spring football game on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210424 Msu Spring Game 222a
Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the spring football game on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210424 Msu Spring Game 222a /
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EAST LANSING, MI – APRIL 24: Xavier Henderson #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs in action during the Spring Game at Spartan Stadium on April 24, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – APRIL 24: Xavier Henderson #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs in action during the Spring Game at Spartan Stadium on April 24, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Defensive line should be strength of defense in 2021

Michigan State was used to having dominant defenses under Mark Dantonio, but this unit might be a far cry from one of those defenses. That does not mean that it can’t be good, however.

The defensive line is going to be missing its best player from a season ago in Naquan Jones and he is going to be a tough guy to replace. This is a deep unit however and they are going to be led by their pair of ends in Jacub Panasiuk and Drew Beesley. Jacob Slade is returning inside and sophomore Jalen Hunt is going to step in to replace Jones. Look out for Duke transfer Drew Jordan to get some time at end as well.

The linebackers are going to have some reloading to do. They are losing athletic linebacker Antjuan Simmons, who was the leading tackler for the Spartans as well. The leader of the group now is Noah Harvey and he brings plenty of experience to the defense. Keep an eye on Quavaris Couch to claim the other starting linebacker spot.

One guy that the secondary is going to miss is cornerback Shakur Brown, but they return some talent in Kalon Gervin, safety Xavier Henderson and Angelo Grose are going to be the other starters.

This is not going to be an elite Spartans defense, but it won’t be at the bottom of the Big Ten either.

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