Defensive line depth has been a major concern for Michigan State football fans this offseason, and the loss of James Schott to the transfer portal only added to those worries.
But head coach Jonathan Smith quickly addressed the issue, securing a replacement just hours later.
Michigan State picked up a commitment from Texas Tech edge rusher transfer. He spent two seasons with the Red Raiders before making the move.
He mostly played linebacker at Texas Tech, appearing in 23 games, but he’s joining Michigan State with an ‘EDGE’ role. In 2024, as a linebacker, he posted 31 tackles, four tackles for loss, and 2.5 sacks. He showed potential as a rusher and was able to penetrate the backfield often during his 12 games.
A three-star recruit in the 2021 class, Smith was lightly regarded, ranking around 1,500th, but he started seeing more action in 2022.
Why did he only play two seasons for the Red Raiders? He suffered an injury before the 2023 season, causing him to miss the entire year. His comeback in 2024, where he performed well, is a positive sign, and with a fully healthy offseason, he could take his game to the next level.
Michigan State has been lacking defensive line depth, so adding a veteran like Smith, who stands 6-foot-6 and weighs 260 pounds, is a valuable move. Expect him to seamlessly enter the rotation and play a significant role defensively.