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Michigan State Football: 5 players who must step up following suspensions

By Emmett Matasovsky

Oct 29, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker on the sideline in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 29, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mel Tucker on the sideline in the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 11, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Youngstown State Penguins quarterback Joe Craycraft (5) scrambles as Michigan State Spartans defensive end Avery Dunn (98) pressures during the game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Youngstown State Penguins quarterback Joe Craycraft (5) scrambles as Michigan State Spartans defensive end Avery Dunn (98) pressures during the game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /

3. Avery Dunn, DE

Avery Dunn is a sophomore defensive end who can capitalize on the lack of depth in the Michigan State defensive end room. Dunn had already been receiving more playing time this season with the injuries to Khris Bogle and Jeff Pietrowski, and the suspensions of Zion Young and Brandon Wright further increase the chance to see Dunn on field.

Dunn has his own setbacks, as he has missed a few games this season due to injuries. However, he was dressed for the Michigan game and even recorded a tackle in that game. If Dunn is fully healthy, he might be a player receiving a start in the next few games.

Avery Dunn was a member of the 2020 recruiting class, being ranked No. 1080 in the country per 247Sports composite. He was the 40th best player in the state of Ohio and received offers from four other FBS schools, with the most notable being his other Power Five offer, West Virginia.

Dunn did not play his freshman year, but did see the field, as he was on field when Iowa let the clock run out on the first half of the Spartans’ 49-7 embarrassing loss that season. In 2021, Dunn got to play, seeing the field against Youngstown State. However, that was his only appearance of the season due to the depth the Spartans held last year.

This year is different, however. The staff has already shown they can go to Dunn before, as he has appeared in five games this season and recorded 11 tackles. This occurred when the Spartans only had injuries or blowouts to deal with, and now, with the top half of the depth chart likely out or injured for this Saturday, expect to see a lot more of the Cleveland native.

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