Michigan State Football: The one that got away, Arizona State’s Darius Slade

Former Michigan State football pledge Darius Slade takes on the Spartans at Sun Devil Stadium Saturday. He will be a force to reckoned with.

Darius Slade was the type of player that former MSU defensive coordinator Pat Narduzzi salivated over. He was the prize that the Spartans were hoping to land in the recruiting cycle of 2015. He would have been a huge get. However, the 6-foot-4, 255-pound Montclair, N.J., product de-committed from MSU and committed to Ohio State.

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He had originally committed to Nebraska but had a change of heart. Then he committed to Michigan State. He was an incredible get because he had 23.5 sacks as a senior. Nevertheless, rumors had been circulating that Narduzzi would leave East Lansing in 2014, however, he remained with Michigan State for another year.

Coach Larry Johnson left Penn State for Ohio State and was a major reason for Slade going to the Buckeyes. Injuries slowed him once at Ohio State and he decided to transfer to Arizona State and now has the opportunity to start.

Arizona State uses a 3-3-5 defensive scheme uses only three down lineman, three linebackers, and five defensive backs. Teams that typically use this scheme are smaller but fast. It is a scheme that will be invaluable in the pass happy Pac-12. The Spartans can take advantage of this by establishing themselves in the trenches.

Slade will be a force to be reckoned with. He has great hand work and can dominate at the point of attack. He is not just a sack specialist, but all around threat. He even played some tight end in high school. When the Spartans take on the Sun Devils, he will be a player to watch on the other side of the ball.

Would Slade be starting for the green and white if he had remained committed? Maybe — possibly — but it’s the experiences in life that influence who we become and those lessons are priceless.