Up Close and Personal: Michigan State’s Defense Showcases Its New Identity to the World

The Spartans' defense was on full display during an hour-long showcase of Michigan State's fall camp on Big Ten Network.

If you were watching the Lions' first preseason game, you may have missed that the Spartans and Wolverines were showcased on Big Ten Network at the same time.

The Spartans' practice was filled with great B-roll clips of the team practicing, but it was mostly highlighted by the interviews and questions asked by the Big Ten Network crew to some of the top Spartans expected to bring Michigan State back into relevancy this season.

The special wasted no time getting right into the interviews. Leading things off were linebackers Jordan Hall and Kenny Soares Jr.

Something new to Michigan State is that Pat Fitzgerald brought over the tradition of awarding the No. 1 jersey to the man who best identifies as Mr. Spartan — someone who encapsulates what it means to be a Spartan, voted on by his peers.

That honor was awarded to incoming transfer linebacker Kenny Soares Jr., who then got to sit down for an interview on Big Ten Network during the Spartans' hour-long highlighted practice for the world to see.

When asked about his leadership and how he encourages other players, even when he isn't out there practicing, Soares Jr. explained where that mentality comes from.

“From back home, shout out to my parents. They told me from a young age, be the light in every single room you walk into. That's why I always have a smile.”

Soares wasn't able to practice but was still out on the field helping his teammates and providing the leadership Fitzgerald and his staff are looking for.

The Big Ten Network then asked both players about one thing that is going to be a big difference in what this defense needs to do to propel the Spartans to a great season.

Hall pointed directly toward one of the biggest problems that plagued Michigan State last season: finishing games.

“Ability to finish games, finish drives… In some of those games that were close, one-score games, I know we came up last year a few games short in some of those games that were close, one-score games, or even we had the lead in the fourth quarter where we just weren't able to finish. That's been something not only Coach Rossi and the defense has been preaching, but Coach Fitz as well. So I think, you know, that's something that we've been harping on… finishing, finishing plays, finishing drives, finishing quarters and finishing games.”

Soares Jr. had a different answer, but one that fits perfectly with the identity this new-look defense is trying to establish.

“I'll go on the opposite end, starting fast and being able to punch somebody in the face just like straight from the get-go. You know, whoever steps in our stadium, whatever stadium we step into, you know, straight when we come out of that tunnel and the music stops playing and the ball gets kicked off, it's time to go and we need to be able to wake everybody up.”

Next to be interviewed was the Spartans' defensive coordinator, Joe Rossi, who's always seemingly ready to immediately give you a 30-minute explanation of why you'd use a certain defensive scheme on a random third-down play.

Rossi's attention to detail is a perfect fit for Fitzgerald, but now Rossi will be expected to get a lot out of a lot of new players on the defensive side.

That starts with getting pressure on opposing quarterbacks.

So, Rossi was asked who someone is that can get after the quarterback.

“Kenny Soares. He's a guy that can get after the quarterback. Anelu (Lafaele) was a guy who had some success early for us last year, got banged up, missed the end. But he's taken another step forward and he's had some good rushes in training camp, especially last practice. Those two are the two guys. I think we got some guys that can really blitz as well in the secondary... And I also like some of our inside guys. You know, Mikeshun Beeler's flashed and done some good things inside along with a couple other guys. So I think it's going to be a group that's got to win with effort and by committee and be able to send waves at them and be able to just be relentless in their pursuit of the quarterback.”

I also love Soares and Lafaele as the premier pass rushers, along with Isaac Smith and Jordan Hall. A mix of rotational waves with relentless energy once got the Spartans into the College Football Playoff, and they are trying to do the same now.

Finally, when asked about Max Bullough and his return to East Lansing, Rossi had plenty of praise for the former Spartan linebacker.

“It's been great. You know, obviously he's a Spartan legend, and not only him, but his whole family. So to have him come home and be able to mentor our young backers, someone who is closer to them in age and someone who did it at a really high level and did it with great intensity, it's been awesome.”

Having the energy and passion of Bullough on the defensive staff seems to be the perfect Fitzgerald hire for a defensive staff that has a lot of new coaches but retained the top dog in defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.

Michigan State's defense is clearly taking on a new identity, and for the first time, Spartans fans got an up-close look at what that identity could look like when the team takes the field this fall.