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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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Malik Spencer, S

Safety room:

Losing: CJ Hayes, Emmanuel Flowers
Returning: Xavier Henderson, Angelo Grose, Darius Snow, Tate Hallock, A.J. Kirk
Bringing in: Dillon Tatum, Jaden Mangham, Quavian Carter, Malcolm Jones

Malik Spencer (No. 635 nationally, No. 58 Safety) is the fourth-highest rated defensive back in this class. Spencer comes in with a lot of competition, but a lot of opportunity.

If the Spartans decide to flip Tatum or Mangham to offense, there are a lot more spots free in this position group. In terms of positional balance, over half of the defensive commitments in this class are defensive backs.

At the time of his commitment and even before signing day, it was suspected that a player like Xavier Henderson or Ronald Williams would declare for the draft. With both returning, the open spots have become numbered. Spencer did not enroll early so he will not have the first crack at any free spots available, hurting his chances of seeing the field this year.

Prediction

It’s 50/50 if he redshirts. I give Spencer an even chance of seeing the field this year. He is talented and I am rather high on him, but there are not many free spots available. If Spencer does not redshirt, I would expect to see a lot of him on special teams and any defensive snaps will be specific packages.

Give him a year or two, and he will be on the field a lot more for the Spartans. With this year’s depth and his competition among classmates, it will be tough sledding.

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