Michigan State football: Power ranking defensive position groups for 2023

PISCATAWAY, NJ - OCTOBER 09 : Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans during a game against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at SHI Stadium on October 9, 2021 in Piscataway, New Jersey. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 31-13. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 02: Jacoby Windmon #3 of the Michigan State Spartans sacks quarterback Jack Salopek #6 of the Western Michigan Broncos in the second half at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /

1. Linebackers

Experience, skill, speed, heart, this squad has it all. Not only are the Spartans returning all their starting linebackers, but they also hopefully get Darius Snow for a full season after his 2022 breakout year was cut short with a broken ankle in the first game of the season.

The top dog of the linebackers is redshirt senior Jacoby Windmon who will likely be the highest drafted defensive player for the Spartans. Back in his national position, Windmon excelled after playing the first few games at defensive end to start the season. He led the team in sacks with 5.5 despite missing the last four games.

The other starting linebacker from last year is Cal Haladay, who led the Spartans in tackles, and Aaron Brule should be the primary backup after racking up four sacks and 30 tackles last year.

If you need your linebackers to be the heartbeat of the defense, the Spartan defense will be alive and well this year.

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