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Michigan State Football: Post-spring 2-deep depth chart predictions for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Jalen Nailor, left, runs to the sideline with teammates during the spring football game on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210424 Msu Spring Game 033a
Michigan State's Jalen Nailor, left, runs to the sideline with teammates during the spring football game on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210424 Msu Spring Game 033a /
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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 31: Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans and Drew Beesley #86 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 31: Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans and Drew Beesley #86 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate during the first quarter against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 31, 2020 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

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

Entering the 2021 season, Jacub Panasiuk has set a lofty goal for himself. He believes he can lead the Big Ten in sacks this year and while that’s nice to hear, it’s going to be a tough task. He should have his best year, though, after a COVID-19 affected 2020 campaign and sitting back on the depth chart in his two previous years. Drew Beesley is my early pick to start at the other end, but Michael Fletcher and Duke transfer Drew Jordan will push him.

Fletcher has a big career ahead of him at Michigan State and he’s barely scratching the surface. Jordan, a former four-star, has the perfect frame and has plenty of experience.

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

Former MSU linebacker turned coach Darien Harris had some high praise for Jalen Hunt this spring, saying that he could be one of the best defensive tackles to ever play for the Spartans. He figures to be the unquestioned starter there and he might just have a huge season in the middle of that line. Alongside him should be Jacob Slade, but the two-deep is solid.

Simeon Barrow is in his second season in East Lansing and the Georgia native looks like one of the rising stars in the trenches. Dashaun Mallory is another defensive tackle whose size is intriguing and should be one of those guys who takes that next step in 2021.

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