Michigan State football: 5 position battles to watch as 2018 fall camp starts

Michigan State football: 5 position battles to watch as 2018 fall camp begins

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 17: Tight end Matt Sokol #81 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after defeating the Michigan Wolverines 27-23 in the college football game at Michigan Stadium on October 17, 2015 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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EVANSTON, IL – OCTOBER 28: Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats passes as teammate Blake Hance #72 blocks Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans at Ryan Field on October 28, 2017 in Evanston, Illinois. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

2. Defensive end

Like the offensive guard position, there are a couple of favorites to start at defensive end, but one of the end positions is incredibly wide open, still, heading into fall camp.

Kenny Willekes is the set-in-stone starter on one side, but Jacub Panasiuk, Justice Alexander, Dillon Alexander, DeAri Todd and Jack Camper will be fighting for that other No. 1 job.

Right now, it’d be safe to say that Panasiuk has control of the job, but Justice has the tools and the frame to add some pressure to the battle. Everyone has been waiting for him to grasp that defensive end role and he’s been slowly learning, but could this finally be the year we see Alexander take control and play to that immense potential?

Todd was a scout team star as a true freshman and will get his first crack at pushing Panasiuk and the Alexanders for time. He could be the dark-horse to start here, but don’t be surprised to see him clamp on to a prominent role in 2018.

Lastly, Camper made the switch from tight end this offseason and he’s been making strides. If offseason chatter is any indication, we could see him fighting his way into that rotation.

The starter opposite Willekes has yet to be decided.

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