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Michigan State Football: Way-too-early 2-deep depth chart projection for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football
Jacub Panasiuk, Michigan State football Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive line

Starting ends: Jacub Panasiuk, Drew Jordan
Backups: Drew Beesley, Michael Fletcher

Shortly after the season wrapped up, Jacub Panasiuk announced he’d be returning for the 2021 season and he said that the Michigan game was on the clock. This was quite the turn of events given the fact that he almost opted out of the 2020 season and nearly left the team because Chuck Bullough wasn’t retained. He opted back in and finished with 25 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He’ll start next year.

Alongside Panasiuk will be Duke transfer Drew Jordan who was a former blue-chip recruit. He had 35 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year and he’ll bring some much-needed experience and he can produce.

Drew Beesley will be a solid backup option after recording 27 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in an impressive season. He’ll be a regular in the rotation along with Michael Fletcher who had 3.5 tackles for loss and three sacks in his first full season. We could also see some Jack Camper mixed in.

Starting tackles: Jacob Slade, Dashaun Mallory
Backups: Jalen Hunt, Simeon Barrow

The tackle spots are not as experienced as the ends and Jacob Slade and Dashaun Mallory are the likely starters with Naquan Jones gone. Slade had 13 tackles and 0.5 tackles for loss in limited action last season and Mallory had just 15 total tackles with three tackles for loss and two sacks. I could see Jalen Hunt also pushing for starting snaps. The potential is there with this group and a talented redshirt freshman in Simeon Barrow could also find himself in the two-deep.

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