Michigan State's Itayvion Brown dismissed from team amid gun charges

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State’s depth at defensive end will be reduced by one for the 2023 season as redshirt-junior Itayvion Brown has been dismissed from the team due to facing firearm charges.

According to a report by MLive on Friday morning, Brown was dismissed from the team last month.

“Tank” Brown was arraigned on Friday morning via a virtual hearing at District Court 54-B in East Lansing on two counts, including felonious carrying of a concealed weapon on March 17. He also was charged with misdemeanor firearms possession while under the influence. Brown entered a not guilty plea.

“Itayvion Brown was dismissed from the Michigan State football team last month and did not participate in spring practice,” a Michigan State spokesman said in a written statement published first by MLive. “Previously, he had been indefinitely suspended from team activities beginning in late February.”

It is unclear whether Brown had a license for the firearm.

Brown is a former four-star recruit from St. Louis, Mo. who transferred to Michigan State in March of 2021 from the University of Minnesota. Brown signed with Minnesota in 2020 but did not see action with the Gophers as a true freshman later that year, and transferred to Michigan State four months after that season ended.  

Brown saw action in six games last year, logging 18 snaps on special teams. He saw action in one game at defensive end last year, playing only three snaps. 

In 2021, he saw action in five games on special teams (30 snaps) and played 35 snaps on defense in four games. 

Prior to spring practice, SpartanMag.com did not project Brown to be a member of the three-deep at defensive end for the 2023 season.

Brown was one of seven Michigan State players charged with assault by a Washtenaw County prosecutor for their roles in a tunnel fight involving Michigan State and Michigan players following the Oct. 29 game in Ann Arbor. Brown and the other six Spartan players were suspended for the remainder of the 2022 season. 

WHAT BROWN’S DEPARTURE MEANS

As for the footbal matters, Brown’s departure isn’t expected to have an impact on Michigan State’s defensive ends picture. Senior Khris Bogle and sophomore Zion Young are proven players at defensive end and expected to make strong contributions next fall, although neither is expected to participate in Saturday’s spring scrimmage due to physical ailments. Bogle, a 2022 transfer from Florida, missed the last eight games of last season with an ankle injury and is still in the recovery process. He is expected to be full-go this summer.

Texas A&M transfer Tunmise Adeleye is expected to contribute at all four positions along the defensive line, possibly as a candidate to start at defensive end.

Penn State transfer Ken Talley, a redshirt freshman, has opened eyes this spring and is a candidate for a role.

Avery Dunn (6-4, 245, R-Jr., Shaker Heights, Ohio) had two starts last year and improved as the season went along. He has been functional at defensive end in the past and continues to progress, according to sources.

True freshmen Bai Jobe and Andrew DePaepe, a pair of four-star recruits, are practicing this spring as mid-year enrollees and competing for a role.

Michigan State has good numbers and talent at defensive end, but a shortage of players who have proven themselves in a Spartan uniform. Jeff Pietrowski’s postseason transfer to Wisconsin didn’t help the situation. He was a first-stringer when healthy last year.

Brown came to Michigan State as a big-bodied linebacker prospect. However, he impressed coaches in practice with his edge rushing potential. Defensive coordinator Scottie Hazelton mentioned during fall camp in August of 2021 that Brown caught his attention due to his athleticism and ability to turn the corner. However, Brown never translated that potential into consistent on-field contributions while accountability issues followed him to East Lansing from Minnesota.