Michigan State's Khris Bogle confident rush end role will increase his productivity in 2024

East Lansing, Mich. – One of the reasons Michigan State’s defense surrendered nearly 30 points per game last season was because its defense lacked playmakers.

The Spartans didn’t have enough difference-makers during crucial moments of a contest to stem the tide when it counted most.

You couple that with injuries and a lack of depth at key positions and it’s not hard to understand why Michigan State gave up almost 390 yards a game in total offense to its opponents during a 4-8 finish.

When you give up that many points and that many yards, something, no, everything has to change.

One of those changes could come from the play of 6th-year defensive lineman Khris Bogle.

With a new staff and a new approach, crafted by defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Rossi and his staff, Bogle could be a major difference-maker in transforming the defensive side of the ball into an integral part of the team’s improvement and success.

In a role similar to the one he excelled at while at Florida for three seasons – where he compiled 69 tackles with 11.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks (37 yards) in 35 games with the Gators – Bogle will reprise that role in Michigan State’s defense. He will play as a stand-up defensive end, a lynchpin in the new Rossi system.

Since coming to East Lansing, the 6-foot-4, 244-pound Fort Lauderdale, Florida native has posted 25 tackles, five TFLs and 2.5 sacks in 14 games. Bogle was solid against the run in the first three games of the 2022 season, but was then lost for the year to a lower body injury. Last year, Bogle was solid but not spectacular.

His productivity could increase in his new role for Michigan State, especially with the added responsibilities co-Special Teams Coordinator and Rush Ends coach Chad Wilt said Bogle will be given on defense during the upcoming 2024 season.

“He’s got a little bit of background experience. He’s played in some two-point stances previously (at Florida), so this has been a little more natural for him, this transition to this rush end but we’re going to put Khris in positions (where) he’s going to play a six-technique over the tight end, (or) he’s going to play essentially a five-technique over offensive tackles,’’ Wilt said. “This rush end position, it’s a hybrid outside backer, D-end thing. He’s going to cover guys man to man, he’s going to be a twister and twist in (stunt) games defensively. Whether that’s first, base down pressures, whether that’s third down pressures, we’re going to put him in positions to highlight his skills.’’

It’s an approach that has Bogle’s approval and puts a smile on his face when he talks about the possibilities.

“My hand won’t be down in the dirt as much as it was before. And it will allow me to see more and play a lot faster than how I played last year,’’ he said. “It’s just like everything that I did at Florida, off the ball a little bit,  you could rush, make everybody ride around you.’’ 

Redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Ashton Lepo feels like Bogle is trending towards a breakout season.

“I go up against him pretty much every day and he’s a great player,’’ Lepo said. “He’s improved a lot. Ever since I’ve been here he’s been a good player and I know that he’s going to cause trouble on the field on Saturdays.’’

Bogle entered the transfer portal on the second Saturday in December of last year but withdrew his name from the portal early in January and decided to return to Michigan State.

“I talked to the Harm (Derrick Harmon) and he just encouraged me to give the new coaching staff a chance,” Bogle said. “And when he said that, he’s like my brother, so when he told me that, I just felt like he’s coming back. I could come back because we could be a dominant in the Big Ten. So I feel like we probably will have one of the best d- lines in the Big Ten.’’

Which means he expects the decision to stay and the staff’s new approach on defense to benefit himself and his teammates all season.

“Last year, I kind of played stationary. It was kind of stationary defense. I mean, (when) I was healthy, I made a few good, key plays,’’ said Bogle, who is fully recovered from a leg injury that cost him games against Ohio State and Maryland. “But this year, I feel like my role is way better than it was in the past. With our new scheme, it allows us to play faster and to attack more. We try to get to the (quarterback) and in the backfield as soon as possible. We get to set an edge and just cause havoc. We’re trying to get to the quarterback to the best of our ability this year, which is really big.’’

Defensive end Khris Bogle (Photo courtesy of Michigan State).