Some former Michigan State football players have been taking the country by storm this season, and while Spartan fans are glad to see them have success elsewhere, it’s a tough pill to swallow because they should be doing this in the green and white.
Sam Leavitt has been solid for Arizona State and he’s become a legit Heisman Trophy contender while Katin Houser was leading the nation in passing for about 24 hours. Germie Bernard can’t be forgotten either as he’s been one of the best receivers in college football this season.
Another former Spartan dominated headlines last season as Derrick Harmon became a first-round NFL draft talent after spending his final season at Oregon.
Now, another former Spartan defensive lineman has become one of the nation’s top pass rushers, and likely has improved his draft stock since leaving Michigan State.
According to Pro Football Focus, Zion Young is one of the nation’s leaders in quarterback pressures through six weeks this season.
Leaders in Quarterback Pressures This Season💪 pic.twitter.com/1GAW5z0bOb
— PFF College (@PFF_College) October 8, 2025
Young was one of the most promising young players on the roster during that forgettable 2023 season when Mel Tucker was fired, and he saw the field extensively, recording 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Since then, he’s only gotten better.
The former three-star from Atlanta, Ga., had a breakout season in 2024, totaling 42 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and three pass deflections. So far in 2025, he’s one of the nation’s top pass rushers with 21 pressures which ranks 10th in the Power Four.
It’s good to see former Spartans thrive, but it’s unfortunate that they didn’t put up these numbers in East Lansing.