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With the 2022 Michigan State football spring game in the rearview mirror, now is a good time to look at what the team's defensive two-deep depth chart might look like at this point in time (offense can be found HERE). This piece is intended to be a projection of where things currently stand and it is NOT a projection of what the September depth chart might look like. With that said, players that aren't on campus yet will still be included in a reasonable capacity.

Michigan State's abundance of versatile linebackers leads to a unique opportunity to utilize some hybrid looks. Similar to what Penn State did with Jesse Luketa last year when they had more proven LB's than proven DE's, MSU could opt for a 4-2-5 formation where one of the "4" defensive linemen is really a linebacker playing the stand-up EDGE role. If MSU were to do this, it would allow for them to utilize three linebackers while still employing two base-LB's in the formation, three true corners, and two safeties. However, it will remain to be seen how this front would hold up against the run. The reason it shouldn't be too much of a concern is that Jacoby Windmon is a former defensive end and shouldn't have any issue holding the edge against the run, even if he's being used as a stand-up EDGE. But if multiple MSU defensive-ends begin to impress, this may not be necessary.

All in all, lots of moving parts here and fall camp may lead to insight that'll change this schematic outlook. Still, the stand-up EDGE variation of the 4-2-5 (or a 3-3-5 based on personnel configuration) is what will be used for the following exercise. It helps resolve the logjam at LB for MSU, while also taking away some questions about just how reliable the traditional LB's on the roster are going to be.

Next-Up: Ben VanSumeren OR Brandon Wright

As stated above, Windmon is a former DE who just recently switched to base LB in his final year with UNLV. He is big enough to stop the run at the point of attack and also athletic enough to drop back into space. He has all-conference potential whether he is used in this role or as a traditional LB. When either he or VanSumeran are on the field in this look, MSU could get very creative with their zone-drops and blitzes. Wright might not provide as much versatility in this role, but the former RB would be more comfortable attacking out of a stand-up stance versus a three-point stance, so he can be placed in this category as well.

Next Up: Khris Bogle OR Tank Brown

Pietrowski was pretty effective in the considerable playing time that he got last year. He is expected to be quite productive for MSU this upcoming season, even though he isn't the prototypical defensive-end that Mel Tucker would typically offer. He is strong and has a high-motor and has a very good shot at being a starter. Bogle, the Florida transfer, also has a good shot at starting at DE, but he is more of a wildcard at this point given that there's a lot of projection surrounding whether he'll be more effective at MSU than he was at Florida, due to being asked to do various things as a 3-4 OLB at UF as opposed to a dedicated defensive lineman. Brown is another guy who is more of a potential/projection type of guy.

This is part of the reason why it would be more conducive for MSU to opt for one of the ends to be a stand-up EDGE in Windmon, but if these potential-centric players start to show flashes, that may not be an issue. Michael Fletcher would probably be next up here. The staff is extremely high on Zion Young, but it might be too early to expect him to contribute this year. Chase Carter and James Schott will need a year or two to develop, but should be notable contributors in the future.

Starters: Jacob Slade & Simeon Barrow

Next Up: Maverick Hansen & Jalen Hunt OR Derrick Harmon

The starters are fairly entrenched here, but MSU has great depth in the DT room as well. Hansen was a very consistent and productive contributor last year. Hunt is a player who is skilled and makes an impact, but he isn't consistently available and that dings his stock a bit for now. His lack of durability may open the door to Harmon snagging a spot in the two-deep. Either way, the Spartans have five solid DT's and boast one of the best interior DL rooms in the conference.

Starters: Cal Haladay & Aaron Brule

Next Up: Darius Snow & Ma'a Gaoteote

For the record, JaCoby Windmon would've been the first starter listed here if he wasn't being labeled as a stand-up EDGE in this exercise. But since he has been categorized in that fashion instead, it will allow MSU to start both Haladay and Brule. Haladay was an all-freshmen player last year, while Brule entered last season with a 2nd round draft grade from ESPN's Matt Miller. He had an underwhelming season last year, but should still have that talent somewhere inside him. That's enough to expect him to start for now; however, Snow won't make it easy for him. Snow has moved to LB due to MSU deciding to utilize a cover-corner in the nickel spot like NFL teams do with nickel defenses. It's a more natural spot for him anyway, as he certainly has the physicality and tackling ability to play LB, while struggling to possess that lateral mobility to play out in space. Good move for all involved, though it does create a bit of a logjam here.

Starters: Ameer Speed (outside), Ronald Williams (outside), & Chester Kimbrough (slot)

Next Up: Charles Brantley, Marqui Lowery, and Caleb Coley

As mentioned above, MSU has opted to turn to an NFL-centric nickel defense where the nickelback is a cover-corner and not just a thumper. This should help improve upon MSU's pass defense from last year. For now, that spot goes to Kimbrough due to his familiarity with the defense, consistent availability through spring camp, and chatter that he is doing better in that role versus the outside corner role where he struggled last year. Brantley possesses the physicality and talent to overtake Kimbrough once he is back to full strength, though. Lowry will challenge for a role on the outside, as he outperformed expectations as a redshirt freshman last year and will only be healthier this upcoming year. For now, the starting nods go to Speed and Williams. Speed has gotten rave reviews in camp, while Williams improved throughout last season until he got dinged up in the Purdue game. justin White flashed a little bit in the past, but most of his contributions came from coming unblocked as a corner-blitzer and his ball-skills and coverage skills may need improvement.

Starters: Xavier Henderson & Angelo Grose

Next Up: Jaden Mangham & AJ Kirk

There has been some chatter that Mangham is already running with the second-team, so that's not as bold as a projection as it may seem on the surface. Beyond that, Kirk could be a good option, but I actually think that someone like Ronald Williams or Ameer Speed getting converted to safety might be the better option if there are two injuries to the safery group in front of Kirk. It's possible that a late-arriving true freshman like Malik Spencer could play in an emergency as well, but it's hard to make that claim before seeing how he does in fall camp. Kendall Brooks may also be an option.

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