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Michigan State football: 3 breakout candidates on defense for 2023

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham (1) and defensive back Dillon Tatum (21) warm up before the game against Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022.
Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham (1) and defensive back Dillon Tatum (21) warm up before the game against Western Michigan at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022. /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 26: A general view of a Michigan State Spartans helmet on the field before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 26: A general view of a Michigan State Spartans helmet on the field before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Malik Spencer figures to be just as big of a star on the defensive side of the ball as anyone not named Cal Haladay or Jacoby Windmon.

Why do I believe this after he played in just five games last year with five total tackles? Because his upperclassmen teammates raved about him on the Spiro Avenue podcast. Darius Snow and Xavier Henderson stated that if they had to pick one guy who will eventually become a star on the defensive side of the ball, it would be Spencer.

Leading up to last season, we heard a lot about Spencer as a standout performance in practices and camp but he never got to truly show that because he wasn’t 100 percent.

Missing time as a freshman, Spencer now has a full offseason to get back to 100 percent and gain his confidence back, much like fellow 2022 classmate Jaden Mangham.

Spencer is one of the top up-and-comers on the team and I think he’s about to be a star.

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