Michigan State Football: Giving out 2023 preseason awards

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Simeon Barrow #8 of Michigan State celebrates his fumble recovery late in the second quarter against Western Michigan with teammates Jeff Pietrowski #47 and Zion Young #18 at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Simeon Barrow #8 of Michigan State celebrates his fumble recovery late in the second quarter against Western Michigan with teammates Jeff Pietrowski #47 and Zion Young #18 at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2022 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Jaime Crawford/Getty Images) /
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Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Camerun Peoples (6) rushes against Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye (30) in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 10, 2022; College Station, Texas, USA; Appalachian State Mountaineers running back Camerun Peoples (6) rushes against Texas A&M Aggies defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye (30) in the second quarter at Kyle Field. Mandatory Credit: Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports /

Defensive Newcomer: DL Tunmise Adeleye

The 17th-ranked transfer in all of college football (according to The Athletic), the former Texas A&M five-star will bring size (6-foot-4, 290 pounds) and skill (rated a top-five defensive end coming out of high school) to the Spartans’ defensive line.

This team needs more pressure on the opposing quarterbacks, whether it’s actually tackling him or just getting him uncomfortable and the defensive end spot needs to be out front in both these categories. There’s a reason defensive ends are getting paid the big bucks in the NFL right now and it’s because they have the most important job on defense and when they do their job correctly, they can affect the outcome of the game more than any other defender.

Adeleye comes in as the most talented defensive lineman on the roster and will look to make a name for himself after only playing in three collegiate games at Texas A&M.

Dark horse candidate: LB Jordan HallBy all accounts, this freshman is everything you want in a football player on and off the field. Not only is he physically and mentally gifted, his mom is a master recruiter. If he shows out early, he’ll be a fan favorite with a legacy at the linebacker position like the names of Joe Bache, Max Bullough, and Greg Jones.