Michigan State Football: Naquan Jones has star potential at DT

In our 100 days until kickoff series, we take a look at the future of Michigan State football’s rising star at defensive tackle in Naquan Jones.

When Naquan Jones committed to Michigan State back in the 2016 class, he was one of four four-star signees on the defensive line and he had an interesting road to East Lansing.

There was a point in time when Jones’ recruitment was re-opened and it seemed as if he may have been headed elsewhere, but the Evanston, Ill., native found his way back to the green and white and that’s where he’s been ever since.

Now entering his redshirt junior season, Jones has four years of experience with the Spartans under his belt and he’s ready to show he’s the favorite to replace Raequan Williams and Mike Panasiuk when they both leave after the 2019 season, but he’s already done that, in a way.

As a redshirt freshman in 2017, Jones played in 10 games, recording 13 total tackles and five tackles for loss. The potential was there, but he was just waiting for his opportunity. And then he got that in 2018 with 25 tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss and his first collegiate sack in 11 appearances.

Jones was difficult to block and continued to improve on his moves in the trenches as well as overall strength, utilizing his size to perfection.

And although Jones may be “just a backup”, he has plenty of potential to become a star for the Spartans in 2019, and beyond. He has the physical makeup, raw football talent and experience to become one of the major contributors up front this season, making the Spartan defensive line one of the best in the nation again.

The future is looking just fine after Williams and Panasiuk leave, and part of the season in Jones’ star potential.