Michigan State LB Cal Haladay talks added weight, desire to play 'tough' brand of football this season

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker made it a point to recruit bigger offensive and defensive linemen this offseason to improve the Spartans’ competitiveness at the line of scrimmage. 

Meanwhile, one of Michigan State’s veteran linebackers was trying to get bigger himself.

Redshirt junior Cal Haladay has been adding mass in preparation for the 2023 season. He felt there was room for improvement in that area after playing last season at roughly 220 pounds. 

“I was skinny,” Haladay said. “I was a little skinny to be a linebacker in the Big Ten.”

Haladay looked noticeably bigger at Big Ten Media Days in Indianapolis on Wednesday. He told the media that his goal is to be over 230 pounds by the start of the season. Haladay said he’ll likely lose some weight during fall camp, which will put him at an ideal frame by the season opener on Sept. 1. 

“My biggest thing just was to be bigger,” Haladay said. “There’s not many linebackers in the NFL who play at 220 pounds, so that was a big thing, too, just wanting to be big. And then you have to be able to move at the weight you’re at, so that was a big thing, just being able to be fast still.”

Haladay – a native of Elysburg, Pa. – plays physical, no matter his weight. He’s unafraid of contact, which he demonstrated last season by leading the Big Ten with 10 tackles per game. Haladay also earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors as a second-year starter. 

So the soreness Haladay felt after games could have been because he was a bit lighter, but he probably would have been sore regardless. 

“There were a couple games where I’d be a little sore, but nothing too crazy,” Haladay said. “I feel like I’m pretty reckless out there with my body. I just want to hit somebody. That’s just the way I play football.”

He wants that mentality to translate to Michigan State’s entire defense this season. When asked what he hopes the Spartans’ identity will be on that side of the ball, Haladay simply answered, “tough.”

“After playing us, I would just want (opponents) to say, ‘I don’t want to do that again. I want to get in the ice bath,'” Haladay said. “So just tough, physical. That’s what I would say. That’s how I would like to say I play and I think that’s a good identity to have on defense. Because if you’re doing that, you’re doing something right. If they’re hurting, you got the job done.”

Haladay is projected to start again this season, and he’ll be counted as a leader amongst a promising group of linebackers. Jacoby Windmon and Aaron Brulé are two fellow upperclassmen whom Haladay is excited to share the field with again.

“I think it’s going to be a lot of fun,” Haladay said. “They’re experienced guys and I think we’re really close, too. I think that plays a big role in it as well. I think we’re going to be ready to show up in all the games and be a strong group on the team overall, and hopefully put a little weight on our shoulders and be able to be difference-makers in the game.

“I think that’ll just make everybody play just a little bit better because if we play better, I think everybody else will want to play better. I think we’ll just bring everybody else with us.”

Michigan State will need its defense to perform better if it wants to take a step in 2023. Haladay knows that, and he’s ready to prove himself this season.

“I think this year we’re going to have to step it up a little bit and be a defense that Michigan State’s been known for,” Haladay said. “They’ve always been known for having a really tough defense. I think this year we need to really get back to our roots and show that we’re a really tough defense because we are. We have the capabilities and we have the people. I think we just need to get it all together and show it on the field.”