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Michigan State Football: Way-too-early 2022 depth chart projection

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) and quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrate after a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) and quarterback Payton Thorne (10) celebrate after a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Panthers in the second half during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports /
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BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 16: Khris Bogle #8 of the Florida Gators in action against the LSU Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images)
BATON ROUGE, LOUISIANA – OCTOBER 16: Khris Bogle #8 of the Florida Gators in action against the LSU Tigers during a game at Tiger Stadium on October 16, 2021 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. (Photo by Jonathan Bachman/Getty Images) /

Defensive Line

Starting ends: Khris Bogle, Jeff Pietrowski
Backups: Brandon Wright, Michael Fletcher

The defensive line is tough to predict right now because I think the Spartans could potentially add another lineman in the portal, but right now, I see Florida transfer Khris Bogle taking over on the edge for Jacub Panasiuk. He finished his Florida career with 67 tackles, 10 tackles for loss, and 10 sacks. On the other side, I think Jeff Pietrowski showed enough this year to prove he’s worthy of that next step. He had 33 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.

Behind them, Michael Fletcher is a guy to keep an eye on if he can finally realize his potential as a former four-star recruit and athletic specimen and Brandon Wright really burst onto the scene in the Peach Bowl with two sacks, showcasing some elite speed off the edge.

Starting tackles: Simeon Barrow, Jacob Slade
Backups: Jalen Hunt, Alex VanSumeren

Before the season, I expected Jalen Hunt to take a huge step because that’s what all the offseason hype was about. But it was actually Simeon Barrow who stepped up and looked like a future star. The freshman and former three-star Georgia recruit finished the season with 34 tackles, four tackles for loss, and three sacks and showed flashes of dominance. Jacob Slade will be really solid beside him after a 40-tackle, five-tackle-for-loss, and 2.5-sack season.

I could see Hunt bouncing back to have a big year in 2022 after struggling to stay healthy and disappointing a little in 2021. Beside him as a backup will be Michigan State’s top 2022 signee Alex VanSumeren who I believe has an extremely bright future — and it’ll start early.

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