Darqueze Dennard headlines MSU Athletics 2024 Hall of Fame class

Former Michigan State football star Darqueze Dennard is being honored as part of MSU’s 2024 Hall of Fame class.

The annual MSU Athletics Hall of Fame class has been announced and there’s a name in there that feels long overdue.

According to MSU football on Twitter, Darqueze Dennard, along with the 1965 and 1966 teams, is being inducted into the school’s athletic Hall of Fame later this fall.

Congratulations to Darqueze Dennard and the 1965 & 1966 teams on being selected to the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame as members of the 2024 class! #GoGreen https://t.co/ZHOODy4yas pic.twitter.com/ejJcgZaSNc

— Michigan State Football (@MSU_Football) July 11, 2024

Six different Spartans were chosen to represent the school in the Michigan State Athletics Hall of Fame, including former MSU hockey star Anson Carter who is currently an NHL on TNT personality. It also includes Jessica (Beech) Bograkos (softball), Laura (Kueny) Smith (women’s golf), Beth (Rohl) Saylors (women’s track & field), and Paul Terek (men’s track & field).

These are some impressive names to be listed alongside for Dennard, and especially those elite 1965 and 1966 MSU football teams.

Dennard is the name that people will most recognize here for his efforts in turning Michigan State around from 2010-2013. He was one of the best defensive players in college football and even won the Jim Thorpe Award which is awarded to the top defensive back in the nation. Dennard helped lead Michigan State to multiple 10-plus-win seasons and even a Rose Bowl victory in 2013.

Not many players had the type of impact that Dennard did and he was probably one of the most overlooked recruits in the past 15, or so, years.

In fact, Dennard was so lightly recruited that Mark Dantonio stumbled upon him in Georgia while recruiting someone else. He stood out to the Hall of Fame head coach and was offered a scholarship and the rest was history. Dennard ended up becoming one of the best defensive players in Michigan State football history and an easy fan favorite.

This honor is more than deserved for Dennard and Alan Haller clearly made the right choice.