Michigan State Football: Way-too-early 2020 depth chart projection

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 14: Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans in action on defense during a game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Spartan Stadium on September 14, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Arizona State defeated Michigan State 10-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Linebackers

Starting outside linebackers: Jeslord Boateng, Antjuan Simmons
Backups: Marcel Lewis, Luke Fulton

We don’t know what type of defense Mel Tucker and Scottie Hazelton will enforce (either a 3-4 or 4-3) so we could see any of these guys on the interior.

But Jeslord Boateng was somewhat of a surprise performer last season and the praise for him was incredibly high. He has all the tools to be a great sideline-to-sideline linebacker and will complement Antjuan Simmons well. I could see Simmons play on the interior as he’s going to be a captain and quarterback-like figure on defense.

Marcel Lewis is an intriguing redshirt freshman who was highly-regarded out of Chippewa Valley (Mich.) in the 2019 class. He’s athletic and smart in the middle of the defense. I could also see a fellow redshirt freshman in Luke Fulton get some run on the outside.

Starting Mike linebacker: Noah Harvey
Backup: Chase Kline

Noah Harvey had a solid sophomore season with the Spartans at linebacker, recording 49 tackles, five tackles for loss and three sacks. He looked like a breakout performer on that defense and he’ll have that familiarity with Mike Tressel who will likely push for him to start at Mike linebacker.

If the staff doesn’t go with Harvey or Simmons at Mike, I could see Chase Kline getting some consideration. As a redshirt freshman, Kline had 12 tackles and a sack but he should see his snaps increase tremendously in 2020 with Joe Bachie gone.

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