Michigan State football will have plenty of new faces in the linebacking corps come the start of the 2025 season.
Brady Pretzlaff got a small sample size in 2024, appearing in four games and registering four tackles. He was able to preserve his redshirt. With the graduations of Cal Haladay and starter for each of the last four years, and Jordan Turner, who was an important piece in his final season of egibility now gone.
The Spartans have to look for new faces at the spot. Sure, Jordan Hall brings his leadership, and cannot be counted out, but who else do the Spartans look to?
The Spartans have also been heavily pursuing several different players at the position in the portal.
One thing is for sure: Michigan State gets a fresh start at linebacker, with Semaj Bridgeman and Marcellius Pulliam still in the fold.
With all the departures it paves the way for Pretzlaff to be right in the conversation as a starter in 2025. A lot was expected out of the Gaylord native coming out of high school. He's certainly going to have a chance to prove himself.
Sure, Haladay made a lot of tackles, but it has been a while since Michigan State has had a linebacker that when you hear his name called on Saturday it means he's doing something good. Pretzlaff needs to be a guy who can be remembered with the likes of Max Bullough, Riley Bullough, Chris Frey, Denicos Allen, Greg Jones, and Joe Bachie. Each was impactful in their respective Spartan careers.
Pretzlaff reminds me of those guys, dedicated, ready to do whatever it takes to help the team win. That feels like something MSU has lacked for years now.
Missed tackles by linebackers was something that has hindered this team for years now. Hall and Pretzlaff give this team legit tacklers -- no offense, Cal.
The Spartans need a resurgence at linebacker, and I think Brady can help lead it.