Aaron Brule returning at linebacker for Michigan State
Days after linebacker/defensive end Jacoby Windmon announced that he was returning to Michigan State for his senior season, the Spartans received another piece of good news with the announcement that linebacker Aaron Brule has also decided to return for a senior season.
With both Windmon and Brule opting to play out their eligibility at Michigan State, which also returns multi-year starter Cal Haladay, who will be a junior in 2023, the Spartans have a strong foundation returning at the linebacker position.
Brule announced his decision to return on social media on Tuesday afternoon.
Brule (6-2, 242, GR, New Orleans, LA, Mississippi State/Archbishop Rummel) saw the field in all 12 games for the Spartans this season, including two starts. He recorded 30 tackles, including 6.5 tackles for loss, and four sacks. He tied defensive tackle Simeon Barrow for second among Michigan State defensive players in sacks in 2022 and led the Spartan defense in quarterback hurries (five).
Brule made his biggest impact for Michigan State during the final month of Big Ten. During the stretch run of the 2022 season, Brule was much more effective as a pass-rusher. He was getting home on blitzes with greater frequency and playing with greater confidence.
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Brule began the season as a back-up for Michigan State, playing behind veteran defensive players like Darius Snow and Ben Vansumeren. An injury to Snow in the first game of the season opened the door for Brule to get more game reps. He showed steady improvement over the course of the season before a breakthrough performance in a road win at Illinois in early November.
Brule and Haladay were Michigan State’s two most productive linebackers during the final month of the season. Brule’s emergence as a reliable linebacker for the Spartan defense came at a critical moment in which the Spartans were playing without Windmon and several other key defensive contributors, who were suspended for their involvement in the post-game tunnel incident at Michigan.
Brule joined the Michigan State as a mid-year enrollee after playing three seasons of college football at Mississippi State. At Mississippi State, Brule made 19 starts in 40 career games. He totaled 141 tackles, including 17.5 tackles for loss, and 7.5 sacks.
