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Michigan State's Jordan Hall looks on form the sideline against Rutgers' during the fourth quarter on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. Nick King/Lansing State Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Predicting MSU's Starting Defense in 2025

Originally posted on Michigan State Spartans on SI
By Carter Landis | Last updated Jul 7, 2025 6:05 AM ET

The Michigan State Spartans have question marks on defense, but the coaching staff made an effort to improve that side of the ball this offseason.

Joe Rossi’s unit had good moments last season but faltered down the stretch, causing the team to miss a bowl game for the third straight season.

Many of MSU’s top contributors from last season are no longer with the team, as some have gone on to the NFL or transferred out. Rossi and Jonathan Smith will look to find players to replace that production.

With that in mind, who will be the Spartans’ starters on defense in 2025?

Let’s predict who will earn those roles.

Defensive line: Jalen Thompson, Quindarius Dunnigan, Grady Kelly, David Santiago

The Spartans will see several players rotate in on the interior and off the edge, but these four players will see the bulk of snaps.

Thompson has been a major contributor for the last two seasons and will look to be a leader for this group entering his junior season. He did not record a sack last season, which should change this year.

Dunnigan enters his seventh season of college football, while Kelly comes over from Florida State. Santiago will be in a competition for the opposite rush-end spot.

Linebackers: Jordan Hall and Wayne Matthews III

Hall lost a starting spot last season after an impressive freshman campaign, but he will be back as the starting middle linebacker for Rossi this season. He is an impressively instinctual player who thrives defending the run and in coverage.

Matthews was a solid player when he saw the field last season, and his elite coverage ability should keep him on the field this year.

MSU will also see players like Darius Snow rotate in, while young players like Marcellius Pulliam and Semaj Bridgeman will also see the field.

Secondary: Joshua Eaton, Nihjay Burt, Malcolm Bell, Nikai Martinez, Malik Spencer

That’s right, the Spartans’ starting corners will all be transfers. Spencer is the only non-transfer in the secondary.

Eaton has taken the CB1 reins almost immediately, and he will use his length and athleticism to slow down the top receivers in the Big Ten. Burt has been impressive in the slot throughout the spring, while Bell has totaled 13 passes defended in his career.

Martinez and Spencer are the best part of this defense; two experienced safeties who can take the ball away.

What will this defense do in 2025? We will find out when they take the field against Western Michigan at the end of August.

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