Projecting defensive starters for Michigan State football in 2024

Defensive Tackle 1: Maverick Hansen

Let’s begin with the position that has the most question marks surrounding it this season: the defensive line.

Michigan State was left scrambling after two of its best defensive linemen shockingly entered the portal in Simeon Barrow Jr. and Derrick Harmon. Both players would have been automatic starters this season, so it now leaves a lot of openings for Jonathan Smith and his staff to fill.

Thankfully I think they’ve done an excellent job at doing just that so far, but the first starter I’m predicting at defensive tackle is Maverick Hansen, who has been at Michigan State his entire career.

Hansen is entering his final season of college football and has appeared in 41 total games so far. That is a ton of experience, but he unfortunately only has eight starts to this name. That will likely change in a hurry this season if this prediction comes true.

Last year, Hansen recorded 21 tackles, 1.5 sacks, and one pass breakup in 11 games (four starts). While these aren’t the best numbers in the world, I think they will drastically improve simply due to a massive increase in playing time Hansen will see this season.

The question is if he’ll be ready for that increase, and I think he will be.