Michigan State Football: Itayvion Brown earning praise as edge rusher

When Itayvion “Tank” Brown committed to Michigan State football from the transfer portal this offseason, I was immediately intrigued by his potential and athleticism on the defensive side of the ball.

Brown had the look of a potentially great linebacker at Michigan State, but he was versatile enough to play outside or even in the trenches as an edge rusher.

It looks like the coaching staff sees his future on the defensive line as he’s been recently working with that group and he’s actually faring well despite being new there. He’s just the latest Spartan to make a position change this offseason, joining Connor Heyward (running back to tight end or H-back) and Maliq Carr (receiver to tight end).

Tank is making a push for some immediate playing time in 2021, however, standing out in the scrimmage over the weekend and earning some high praise from Mel Tucker.

There were some highlights from the scrimmage and Brown was seen getting a sack and he looks like he’s bulked up quite a bit this offseason. He looks like the perfect athletic freak on the edge.

Hearing Tucker say that he brings “the juice” off the edge is a good sign as it pertains to getting him on the field early and often in 2021. The Spartans do have Drew Beesley, Jacub Panasiuk, Michael Fletcher, and Drew Jordan working on the edge, but you can’t count Brown out after a strong fall camp thus far.

The only thing holding him back may be his lack of familiarity with the position.

What could Michigan State football’s two-deep look like at DE?

It’s hard to really predict the two-deep at end right now, but the fact that Jordan has cut a bunch of fat and toned up this offseason has me thinking he’s going to get plenty of run and Brown’s recent surge has him on my radar.

I’d say that Beesley and Panasiuk are the most likely duo to begin the season as the starters, but I wouldn’t rule out a push from Jordan, Fletcher, and Brown.

If I had to predict the two-deep right now, I’d say it’s Beesley and Panasiuk as starters, Brown and Jordan right behind, and Fletcher as the fifth man. But that can all change.

A once-thin position is looking mighty deep.