3 Michigan State football position groups I feel best about after spring 2024

2. Linebacker

Easily the best position group on the defensive side of the ball has to be linebacker. Although it's getting overlooked, I think the cornerback room will also be solid this season with Chance Rucker finally getting a chance to prove himself and Edward Woods transferring in from Arizona State.

But there's something about the linebacker room that screams "top-tier".

There's not a ton of depth at linebacker, but the starters might be the best they've been in years with Jordan Hall returning for his sophomore year after a heck of a freshman season and Jordan Turner transferring in from Wisconsin. Fellow transfer Wayne Matthews III is expected to start as well and he should be one of the better defenders on the team.

These three guys are going to be productive as they're strong, athletic, and have high football IQs. There aren't many starting groups as good as this one in the Big Ten.

The backups are also solid even thought Ma'a Gaoteote has transferred out. Darius Snow looks to finally be close to 100 percent and Cal Haladay is a really solid option as a backup. Anthony Jones transferred in from Indiana but he'll be more of an edge rusher, in my opinion, but don't sleep on Sam Edwards and Aaron Alexander, too.

Oh, and you can't forget talented freshman Brady Pretzlaff who flipped from Minnesota when Joe Rossi came over as defensive coordinator.

I really like the future of this group, both immediate and long-term.