Who will emerge at DE opposite Kenny Willekes?
Former walk-on defensive end, Kenny Willekes emerged as a leader on Michigan State’s defense in 2017. As a redshirt sophomore, he totaled 72 tackled and led the Spartan’s in both sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (13.0). With the departure of Demetrius Cooper, who occupied most of the snaps at defensive end opposite Willekes last season, there are a number of players vying to take over one of the few open spots on what is expected to be one of the Big Ten’s and nation’s best defenses again in 2018.
Dillon Alexander is a fifth-year senior who, like Willekes, is a former walk-on. He started four games in 2017 before being replaced by Cooper and even though he likely won’t come anywhere close to meeting Willekes’ production, he will be at least a solid rotation player.
Justice Alexander is a 6’5260-pound junior redshirted in 2015, played sparingly in 2016, and only appeared in one game last season. He’s had the size and athleticism to be a major factor as a pass rusher since he set foot on campus but hasn’t put it together to this point. Willekes noted Alexander’s elevated level of play and his buy-in this spring, though, so he’s obviously someone who teammates and coaches have high hopes for and should definitely be a player to watch for this weekend and this fall.
Jacub Pansiuk is a 6’3″ 270-pound sophomore played in all 13 games as a freshman in 2017. Pansuik played defensive tackle and strongside defensive end in high school as well as Tight End and is deceivingly athletic for his 270-pound frame. His versatility as both an edge rusher and run stopper should add to the Spartans’ defensive front this season.
Can the Offense Take the Next Step?
Michigan State was real good in 2017. As previously mentioned, they beat Penn State and Michigan and had a defense that was among the top 20 nationwide.
As good as their defense, their record, and even their offense was at times, they struggled to score in more 20 or more points in several conference games and overall, were the No. 96 scoring offense in the FBS.
Their conference schedule in 2018 is a little more forgiving with Ohio State, Northwestern, and Michigan all coming to East Lansing. But in a conference loaded with teams who can beat you with offense or defense any given Saturday, Mark Dantonio’s offense is going to have to find another gear if Michigan State hopes to be in the playoff picture come Thanksgiving.
I’m not saying they’ll have to score 45 points a game, but they’re going to have to win a couple shootouts and they’re going to have to be able to score when opposing defenses stack the box and say “we’re not letting LJ Scott run on us”.
Next: Biggest question facing every Top 25 team in spring camp
It’s going to take Lewerke stepping up to become an All-Big Ten caliber quarterback, one or more of the receivers stepping up to become All-Big Ten caliber targets, or Scott or one of the other backs emerging as a serious threat out of the backfield. Someone is going to have to be an x-factor or some combination of players are going to have to collectively make substantial jumps in 2018.
We’ll hopefully have a better idea of whether the offense has the makings of that next gear and who might step up to make it happen after this weekend’s spring game is in the books.
This team has as much promise as any in the nation coming into next season. But promise is one thing. Results are another.