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Michigan State football: Playing time odds for 2022 class defensive signees

By Emmett Matasovsky

Michigan State's head coach Mel Turner gives encouragement to players during football camp on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, on the MSU campus in East Lansing.210817 Msu Football Camp 121a
Michigan State's head coach Mel Turner gives encouragement to players during football camp on Tuesday, Aug. 17, 2021, on the MSU campus in East Lansing.210817 Msu Football Camp 121a /
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James Schott, DE

DE room:

Losing: Jacub Panasiuk, Drew Beesley, Drew Jordan, Zach Slade, Jack Camper, Alex Okelo
Returning: Michael Fletcher, Brandon Wright, Jeff Pietrowski, Itayvion “Tank” Brown, Avery Dunn
Bringing in: Chase Carter, Khris Bogle (transfer)

James Schott (No. 900 nationally, No. 55 EDGE) is another edge rusher with a high ceiling but low weight (215 pounds) for the Spartans.

Michigan State was Schott’s only Power Five offer out of high school, with the rest being primarily MAC schools. While this may bring some skepticism at first, the last year made it clear that Tucker knows who to look out for. Even the since-transferred Alex Okelo is a very similar build to the two edge commits from this class.

After seeing another smaller and raw edge rusher Brandon Wright take off for the Spartans in the last few games of 2021, I am very confident in Schott’s ability to be maximized by this year’s coaching staff.

Schott will need to bulk up to defend against the run since 215 pounds will not work, as discussed with Chase Carter. The Indiana native has all the tools and coaching needed, he will also be making a name for himself in the weight room and practice field once he joins the team this summer.

Prediction

Redshirt. Schott is both raw and light, which will not help in any Power Five conference, let alone the Big Ten. As mentioned in Chase Carter’s breakdown, Schott is one of three underclassmen edge rushers for the Spartan. If he sticks the course for the Spartans, his main competition will be Carter and Dunn for a starting spot in two short years.

With the recent addition of Brandon Jordan, Schott will be pushed to be the best version of himself every day, as he will have to be, as the talent will be following the talented coach.

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