RISING UP: Top underclassmen movers for Michigan State on defense in '22

Injuries and attrition were the biggest storylines for Michigan State on defense in 2022. As such, several young defensive players had an opportunity to play bigger roles than they might have under different circumstances. Many of those previously inexperienced Michigan State defenders appear to have used the experience they gained during a disappointing 5-7 season to set themselves up for success in the future.

Continue below for an index of Michigan State’s top underclassmen movers on defense in 2022.

NOTE: Criteria for inclusion is that players had one or fewer letters and sophomore eligibility or younger entering the 2022 season.

RISING UP: DEFENSE

1. Derrick Harmon, Defensive Tackle

Harmon (6-5, 320, R-Fresh., Detroit, MI, Loyola) is without question the most underrated prospect in the state of Michigan during the 2021 recruiting cycle. In fact, it is pure insanity to think that a human being as big as Harmon, possessing hard-to-find foot quickness was ranked outside the Top 20 in Michigan by two of the three major recruiting analysts at the time. The analyst that did include Harmon in their Top 20 hardly did him a favor, slotting him at No. 18.

Nevertheless, Michigan State got an absolute steal when they signed Harmon, who is the clearcut No. 1 underclassman riser for the Spartans on defense this season.

We knew going into the season that Harmon would play a major role for Michigan State as a redshirt freshman defensive tackle. We did not, however, expect Harmon to play as many snaps did this season. With injuries to Jacob Slade and Simeon Barrow playing at less than full-health, Harmon was a rock inside.

Harmon played all 12 games for Michigan State in 2022, finishing with 30 tackles and two sacks. His sack total ranked second among Michigan State interior defensive linemen, trailing only Barrow with four.

Harmon put himself in position for a big development jump by making the most of the limited game reps he received as a true freshman during Michigan State’s 11-win 2021 season. He made additional strides the following spring and pushed past more experienced teammate Jalen Hunt to claim a second-team spot alongside Maverick Hansen.

Harmon started five games at defensive tackle this season and will most likely be returning to a starting role in 2023 with Slade making the jump to the NFL following his senior season.

2. Chuck Brantley, Corner

Brantley (6-0, 175, Soph., Sarasota, FL, Venice) burst onto the scene as a freshman in 2021 and established himself as rising star for the Michigan State defense before suffering a season-ending injury during a Week 8 loss at Purdue. As a sophomore in 2022, Brantley moved into a full-time starting role at corner, and he was Michigan State’s most consistent cornerback all season long.

Brantley had a solid sophomore season, finishing with 48 tackles, including two tackles for loss, and a sack. He led the Spartans in pass break-ups (six) and tied for the team lead in interceptions with one. Brantley was the only Michigan State defensive back to record an interception this season. That interception was a memorable because it was a pick-six and it came against Ohio State.

At 6-foot, 170, Brantley is still a bit lighter than one would like him to be given past concerns over durability. Be that as it may, Brantley plays the game of football without fear, and has no hesitation when it comes to rallying to the ball as a run defender.

With players like Xavier Henderson and Kendell Brooks running out of eligibility, Michigan State needs Brantley to step into a leadership role next season. He led by example with his play on the field as a sophomore, now its time for him to lead with both his actions and words.

Brantley signed with Michigan State as the highest ranked defensive back in Tucker’s first recruiting class in 2021. Brantley was ranked among the Top 70 players in Florida by both two of the top three recruiting analysts at the time.

Brantley has proven himself to be one of the headliners of Tucker’s first recruiting class at Michigan State, along with wide receiver Keon Coleman and defensive tackle Derrick Harmon.

3. Zion Young, Defensive End

With injuries decimating Michigan State at the defensive end position, it didn’t take long for Young (6-6, 260, Fr., Atlanta, GA, Westlake) to move into the starting lineup as a freshman. The fact that Young was ahead of older players like Avery Dunn and Michael Fletcher speaks to how highly he is thought of by defensive line coach Marco Coleman.

Young played eight games for Michigan State and logged five starts as a true freshman. He totaled 21 tackles, including two for loss, and a sack. He would have played out the season as Michigan State’s starting defensive end, had he not been caught up in the post-game tunnel incident at Michigan in late October.

Young signed with Michigan State as a four-star prospect, ranked No. 288 overall, No. 34 at Edge rusher, and No. 31 in Georgia by by On3.

Young was listed as 6-foot-6, 226, when he signed with Michigan State last December. Between that time and his arrival at Michigan State during the summer, Young did a nice job of filling out his impressive frame, adding upward of 30 pounds. That additional weight enabled Young to hold up better at the point of attack better than a typical freshman defensive end.

Young has a bright future on the Michigan State defensive line. His frame, size, and strength should give him multi-position versatility moving forward. And given Michigan State’s injury situation on the d-line this season, versatility is an important commodity.

4. Jaden Mangham, Safety

When Xavier Henderson suffered an injury during the early portion of Michigan State’s non-conference schedule, Mangham (6-2, 175, Fr., Bingham Farms, MI, Groves) moved up into the regular playing group at safety along with Kendell Brooks Jr. and Justin White. Mangham eventually moved into a starting role with the Spartans after coaches shuffled personnel, moving Angelo Grose from safety to nickel, where he began his college career.

Mangham handled being thrust into a major role at mid-season with poise and confidence. He had a handful of mistakes early on, but he kept working, and he showed steady improvement.

Mangham played eight games at safety and logged two starts for Michigan State. He would have played more games than he did sans illness that prevented him from playing in the Big Ten finale at Penn State in addition to suffering a head injury via a helmet-to-helmet hit levied by an Ohio State running back during a home loss in October.

Mangham had a strong showing as a true freshman under the difficult circumstances, finishing with 20 tackles, including two tackles for loss. Even before the start of training camp in August, Mangham was a young defensive back that had earned the respect of program veterans, including Henderson.

In a perfect world, Mangham probably would have redshirted for Michigan State in 2022. At 6-foot-2, 175, Mangham needed a year to add good muscle to his impressive frame. With experience to draw upon from this season, look for Mangham to develop into a top defender for the Spartans next season. He will no doubt benefit from another off-season with strength coach Jason Novak.

Mangham signed with Michigan State as a US Army All-American ranked No. 9 in Michigan and No. 10 at the catch-all position of athlete by On3.

5. Malik Spencer, Safety

Michigan State signed an outstanding safety class in 2022 with Spencer (6-1, 195, Fr., Buford, GA, Buford), Mangham, and Dillon Tatum. While Mangham and Tatum are both in-state kids, Spencer is one of a growing contingent of Georgia players that Michigan State has signed from the high school ranks during Mel Tucker’s tenure.

During his first year at Michigan State, Spencer was one of handful of freshmen that appeared primed to be regular contributors from start to finish. A minor injury prevented Spencer from getting onto field as quickly as he would have had he been healthy.

To his credit, Spencer worked his way back from that injury, and played five games, contributing both on special teams and in the playing group at safety. As he develops within the Michigan State program, Spencer wants to be a player that has multiple-position utility, much in the way that Darius Snow was prior it his injury.

Spencer may never move to linebacker like Snow did, but he has some toughness about him, and he isn’t afraid to mix it up around the line of scrimmage. Had he played more as a true freshman, chances are that Spencer would have also been utilized more as an occasional pass-rusher. Spencer did a lot of blitzing in his role as a hybrid defensive back/linebacker during his high school career at Buford.

Spencer was classified as a linebacker by On3 and other analysts. He signed with Michigan State as the No. 65 linebacker in the Class of ’22 and the No. 70 player in Georgia.