Too Early Look at 2015 - Defense

With National Signing Day complete, let’s take a very early look at the 2015 defensive depth chart, and what the playing group is projected to look at, position-by-position.

DEFENSIVE END

Thank goodness Shilique Calhoun decided to return, or else this position would be very green.  It may come down to who is the best fit opposite Calhoun to play the strong side, potentially Evan Jones or Malik McDowell moving outside.  Demetrious Cooper will at the least rotate and see many snaps, as could Montez Sweat and Robert Bowers.  I lean towards Sweat, as he played a few snaps last year before redshirting.  Cassius Peat or maybe Raequan Williams also could play as a true freshman at the strongside spot. 

Inside the team may have one of the most talented defensive tackle positions in the country, bringing back Lawrence Thomas, Joel Heath, Malik McDowell, and Damon Knox, who all have starting experience.  Much like great SEC teams in the past, the MSU defense has the luxury of rotating these players throughout a game to keep them fresh.  Factor in redshirt freshman Enoch Smith, Craig Evans, and David Beedle, and defensive line coach Ron Burton has an embarrassment of riches. 

LINEBACKER

MSU also has great depth at linebacker, where you will likely see six to seven players on any given Saturday.  I think we’ll see a starting lineup of Ed Davis (SAM), Riley Bullough (MIKE), and Darien Harris (STAR), but Jon Reschke (MIKE), Chris Frey (SAM), and Jalyn Powell (STAR) will rotate in.  If Drake Martinez is eligible this year, also look to see him compete for time at STAR with Powell.  Riley Bullough has enough versatility where he can play outside when Reschke is in the game. Pushing for time will be Shane Jones, TJ Harrell , Byron Bullough, and true freshman Tyriq Thompson. 

CORNERBACK

There will be a lot of competition throughout the spring and fall, but I predict it will be the most intense at corner.  Darian Hicks and Demetrious Cox are the favorites to start, but close to ten players will all have a chance to crack the lineup.  Arjen Colquhoun will be a senior, but he didn’t allow any big plays in the second half of the Cotton Bowl when he saw time, so perhaps he may have finally turned the corner.  Jermaine Edmondson was also mentioned by former defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi as someone who he’d like to see take football a little more seriously last summer.  One popular name being mentioned is redshirt freshman Vayante Copeland, who could move up the depth chart, similar to Darian Hicks and Trae Waynes in the past.  Others at corner are Nick Tompkins, Justin Williams, and Jalen Watts-Jackson.  All three true freshman will also get a shot.  Josh Butler is coming off a torn ACL, but may be the most physically ready to contribute.  Tyson Smith received high praise by Coach Dantonio during the signing day press conference, being compared to Renaldo Hill, and David Dowell played in the same defensive scheme last year at his high school.

SAFETY

The safety position is more settled, as both RJ Williamson and Montae Nicholson return.  The hope is Williamson will improve going into his final year, and limit some of the mistakes of the past years where he’s been burnt deep.  Nicholson has all the physical attributes, and is likely to be a mainstay at safety for the rest of his career.  Demetrious Cox could compete for time if he doesn’t earn a spot at corner, and veteran Mark Meyers provides veteran depth.  If a rash of injuries were to happen, Jalyn Powell also has experience at safety.  He is best remembered for being drafted ahead of Williamson and Cox during the spring game draft last year.  Matt Morrissey is likely a year away from contributing, as well as true freshman Kaleel Gaines, Grayson Miller, and Khari Willis.  At least one could see time on special times though.

SPECIALISTS

Kicker Michael Geiger and long snapper Taybor Pepper return, while Mike Sadler will be replaced by former highly touted punter Jake Hartbarger, who redshirted last year. Geiger did struggle a bit last year, but is still one of the top kickers in the league. Hartbarger has a big leg at 6’4”, and was ranked in the top 5 punters by most recruiting services.

View MSU Depth Chart