A Revamped Defensive Outlook
The 2025 season ended with Michigan State’s defense sliding to the bottom of the Big Ten, ranking 72nd in total defense, 65th against the run, 92nd against the pass and 104th in points allowed. The unit struggled to generate pressure and create turnovers, prompting a long offseason of evaluation.
Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi will return for his third year at the helm, bringing continuity but also a roster that lacks proven experience. Rossi has emphasized that the group must build on the modest improvements seen in the second half of the previous season.
Among the returning pieces are senior linebacker Ben Roberts, tackler Jordan Hall – who earned honorable‑mention All‑Big Ten honors last year – and versatile defender Nikai Martinez. Their presence provides a foundation of familiarity and leadership.
To address the shortcomings, the program has brought in a wave of transfers, including Caleb Wheatland and Dion Crawford, to reinforce the front seven. Inside, Illinois import Eli Coenen and returner Derrick Simmons are slated for extensive snaps, while edge rusher Kenny Soares Jr. showed strong spring work and will pair with Anelu Lafaele.
In the secondary, safety Devin Vaught, nickelback Michael Richard, and corners Tre Bell, Tyran Chappell, and Charles Brantley are all in the mix for starting roles. The departure of defensive line stalwarts Alex VanSumeren and Jalen Thompson to the portal leaves a void that the new additions hope to fill.
The Spartans open the 2026 campaign on September 4 against Toledo, a game that will serve as the first test of the revamped scheme. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has spoken openly about the team’s investment in depth and the excitement surrounding the defensive unit’s potential.