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Michigan State Football: How good can the defensive line be in 2018?

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Defensive end Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans is congratulated by his brother, defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk #72 of the Michigan State Spartans, after sacking quarterback Peyton Ramsey of the Indiana Hoosiers for a 4-yard loss during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 21: Defensive end Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans is congratulated by his brother, defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk #72 of the Michigan State Spartans, after sacking quarterback Peyton Ramsey of the Indiana Hoosiers for a 4-yard loss during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State had a decent spring with some guys rising to the occasion on the defensive line. How good can this unit be in 2018?

Once thought to be the weakness of the team, Michigan State’s defensive line went from helpless in 2016 to surprising in 2017. The Spartans had one of the lowest sack totals in the country in 2016 before recording 25 in 2017. Can this unit take another step forward in 2018?

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 takeaways from 2018 spring game

Losing Demetrius Cooper won’t help, but he had a relatively quiet senior season in 2017, so his departure isn’t going to hurt, either. Michigan State has also lost Lashawn Paulino-Bell to a transfer but the Spartans proved to be just fine without massive depth up front.

Back are Mike Panasiuk and Raequan Williams as the starting tackles and Kenny Willekes and a combo of Justice Alexander, Dillon Alexander, DeAri Todd and Jacub Panasiuk at the defensive end spots. My money would be on Panasiuk starting at end with the Alexanders in the two-deep. Providing depth at tackle are Naquan Jones and Gerald Owens but other than that, everyone else on the roster has little experience.

Does this mean there will be a drop-off in production on the defensive line?

Probably not. The coaching staff has raved about (Mike) Panasiuk’s spring as he was even dubbed an ‘MVP’ by defensive coordinator Mike Tressel. Williams has been getting better each year and should be in for a breakout junior season in the middle. (Jacub) Panasiuk has been a rising star since the middle of last season and the Alexanders have both earned plenty of praise from coaches this spring, namely Justice. Todd has been a breakout candidate all spring and was a scout team star as a true freshman (since redshirted) in 2017.

Don’t sleep on this line as it proved to be a force in the spring game, getting constant pressure on the quarterbacks. The Panasiuk brothers could each have breakout seasons and Jones is another force who doesn’t get enough recognition at defensive tackle. He has the size and strength to be a dominating force heading into his sophomore year.

As for the incoming freshmen, Zachary and Jacob Slade could be headed for redshirt years while Parks Gissinger could be a surprise contributor along with late addition Dashaun Mallory.

Next: MSU Basketball: 5 must-have 2019 targets

A one-time weakness could wind up being a strength for Michigan State, especially with increased depth.

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