Michigan State football: Jalen Thompson among nation’s fasting rising stars

Rising Michigan State football star Jalen Thompson was graded as the sixth-best freshman edge rusher in the nation.

Gosh, it’s so great talking to you all again. It’s been a minute since my last post for Spartan Shadows and I’m just so happy to be talking about Michigan State football — and college football — after such a long (one-month) break since the national title game.

Lots has happened in that short amount of time. Michigan State head coach Jonathan Smith and his staff have been working hard to assemble their roster for the fall and one player from the Mel Tucker regime will be one of the team’s most impactful players this fall.

That player is sophomore edge rusher Jalen Thompson.

PFF recently released their rankings for freshman edges from last season and Thompson sits smack-dab in the middle of the top 10. Say all you want about MSU’s former coach, but you can’t say he didn’t leave a couple of pockets of talent on this team. Thompson is one of those glimmers of hope.

Highest graded freshman Edge Rushers from the 2023 season🔥 pic.twitter.com/wUeN4IXcLu

— PFF College (@PFF_College) February 2, 2024

Ranking sixth, Thomspon’s PFF grade sits behind former blue-chip recruits such as Rueben Bain Jr. from Miami and TJ Parker at Clemson. Both are players who are expected to make huge impacts on the ACC title race this fall.

Thompson saw an increase in playing time throughout the season and finished his freshman year off as one of the Spartans’ most dependable edge rushers. Remember, he held offers from Georgia, Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and tons of others and there’s good reason for that.

Every time I saw Thompson hit the field, all I could think about was former Baylor star, Shawn Oakman, and his viral meme. Same build and athleticism to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

Look like Shawn Oakman pic.twitter.com/YPj9V3AAIj

— G (@SportsnSneakers) May 4, 2022

I can’t wait for the fall. I’m excited to see what Jonathan Smith has in store for us and what new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi has dialed up for the defense this year. Keep a close eye on Jalen Thomspon as we begin spring practice.

Is it August yet? I can hardly wait for the spring game.