A new look on the line
Michigan State’s defensive end unit for the 2026 campaign is being rebuilt around a mix of proven transfers and rising youngsters. The coaching staff has pinned high hopes on Keahnist Thompson, a Weber State alumnus who topped his previous team with four sacks last season, and Cal Thrush, a redshirt freshman who earned Scout Team Player of the Week honors three times during spring drills.
Uncertainty at the top
Isaac Smith, who split his time between rush end duties and defensive end work last year, has yet to establish a clear role, while third‑year veteran Kekai Burnett logged 32 snaps in a spot start against UCLA and could provide depth. Leonard Ah You, a 2023 recruit who returned from a two‑year mission, appeared in only three games previously but may contribute as the unit continues to evolve.
Looking back at the numbers
The Spartans managed just 22 sacks in 2025, the third‑fewest in the Big Ten, and managed only 16 during conference play, a figure that placed them tenth in the league. A six‑game stretch without a single sack the year before underscored the need for a turnaround, prompting the front office to prioritize pass‑rush development.
With the new pieces in place, the team hopes to translate practice momentum into game‑day production. If Thompson can replicate his sack total and Thrush builds on his spring performance, the defensive line could finally generate the pressure that has eluded them in recent seasons.