{"id":18743,"date":"2024-08-13T15:31:46","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T19:31:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/?p=18743"},"modified":"2024-08-13T15:31:46","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T19:31:46","slug":"michigan-state-football-future-is-bright-with-alex-vansumeren-ben-roberts","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spartanshadows.com\/?p=18743","title":{"rendered":"Michigan State football: Future is bright with Alex VanSumeren, Ben Roberts"},"content":{"rendered":"

The future seems incredibly bright with Alex VanSumeren and Ben Roberts manning the middle of the Michigan State football defensive line.<\/h2>\n

If you follow the Michigan State football<\/a> program close enough to read Spartan Shadows, then you already know the transfer portal claimed two of the team’s best players this offseason. The defensive line was set to be one of the best in the conference. In no time, the strength became a weakness.<\/p>\n

Fast forward to fall camp, the defensive line is still a major concern. The staff brought in transfers to help \u2013 Georgia Tech\u2019s D\u2019Quan Douse and MTSU\u2019s Quindarius Dunnigan, among others \u2013 but its impossible to improve when the two players you lost were the top performers in their positions in the transfer portal.<\/p>\n

I won\u2019t lie, it could be a tough go for the defensive front this year but there are two glimmers of hope beaming out of fall camp: defensive tackles Alex VanSumeren (AVS) and Ben Roberts.<\/p>\n

Reports out of camp<\/a> say AVS and Roberts have been shining. These two redshirt sophomores have the potential to bring the position group back to the promised land. Based on what we\u2019re hearing, it could be sooner rather than later.<\/p>\n

VanSumeren was a blue-chip recruit for Mel Tucker in the 2022 class but most fans haven\u2019t heard the name since. Two major leg injuries delayed the monster-in-waiting. Heading into 2024, the quiet weight room warrior is healthy and allegedly showing out in camp.<\/p>\n

Roberts, an under-the-radar transfer from Oregon, was also a blue-chipper coming out of high school. After playing a limited amount of snaps for a stacked Oregon team, Roberts hit the portal even after being a stand-out in the Ducks’ spring game. The talent is there and it sounds like MSU defensive line coach Legi Suiainoa is liking what he sees.<\/p>\n

With the major losses of Derrick Harmon and Simeon Barrow, I can\u2019t stress how important it will be for the defensive line to have a stable of players in a rotation. Creating depth reduces risk if (when) someone gets hurt. It also gives multiple players in-game experience which is critical to player development.<\/p>\n

As it stands today, the defensive tackles projected 2-deep is as follows:<\/p>\n