Michigan State Football: Expect Defense to Remain Elite
Nov 22, 2014; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Joel Heath (92) prepares for the snap of the ball during the1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Defensive Line
This D-Line is frankly a tremendous unit and is going to improve on a stellar 2014. Michigan State D-Line coach Ron Burton again has a deep group with talent all over to work with.
You have to start with Shilique Calhoun when you bring up the MSU defensive line. The Spartans return the 2013 Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the year, 2-Time Second Team All-American, 2-Time All-Big Ten and who’s already on the Bednarik Award Watch-List for 2015.
The 5th-year Senior is stud on the edge and a team leader who’s coming off a career high 8 sacks in 2014. Calhoun will be starting at defensive end for the 3rd consecutive year this season.
Don’t anticipate 2015 to be a season in which the rest of the country suddenly finds a way to keep him out of the backfield. Calhoun has a burst off the snap college tackles have trouble keeping in front of. He gets leverage and has the strength to power through bigger lineman. Number 89 will lead this unit, make big plays and create opportunities for everyone in the front 7 with his constant penetration.
Another great talent on this line is the Sophomore DT Malik McDowell. McDowell can also get into the backfield with a lot of speed and mobility for the tackle position. Coming out of Southfield, MI, McDowell played himself into receiving 1st Team Freshman All-American team honors with 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks on the year.
Joel Heath will line up his 5th year at MSU opposite to McDowell at the other Defensive Tackle Position. Heath led the team with 5 tackles for loss last year and is a versatile giant on the line capable of making an impact every week. He could play some Defensive End this year.
Lawrence Thomas, who played mostly at tackle last year, is projected to start at Defensive End for the Spartans. Thomas had a career high 30 tackles in 14-15 along with 3 sacks and 4.5 tackles for loss. Once again this is another 5th-year Senior who has battled with this team against the best opponents in the country, brings his talent and experience back to this talented front four.
Demetrius Cooper will add depth at end entering his RS Junior year as will the 5th year Senior defensive tackle Damon Knox.
Michigan State is going to count on this front 4 to control the line of scrimmage and support the secondary by bringing pressure every down. It’s possible, maybe even most likely they’ll be just as tough to run on the Spartan front four and you can expect Calhoun & Company to get to the quarterback even more often in 2015-2016.
Next: Linebacking Corps