Spartan Avenue
Fansided

3 post-spring 2024 breakout candidates on defense for Michigan State football

By Connor Muldowney

Michigan State's Chance Rucker celebrates after a defensive stop against Nebraska during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.
Michigan State's Chance Rucker celebrates after a defensive stop against Nebraska during the third quarter on Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. / Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next

2. D'Quan Douse, DL

One player who really stood out to me during the Spring Showcase was Georgia Tech defensive line transfer D'Quan Douse. He just wrapped up his junior season in 2023 and decided to hit the portal, picking Michigan State in the winter and enrolling and going through spring practices.

Douse looked really good during the Spartans' open practice and he figures to be one of the starters on the defensive line in 2023. He has the potential to put up some serious numbers.

In 2023, Douse had his best season yet, racking up 35 tackles, three tackles for loss, two sacks, and a forced fumble. This followed up a solid sophomore season the year before, finishing with 26 tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks with two forced fumbles. In his final two years with Georgia Tech, he had 61 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles. Those are impressive numbers from a defensive lineman.

I'm expecting another jump from Douse in 2024, especially since he's going to need to be a star with both Simeon Barrow and Derrick Harmon gone.

Home/Spartans Football