Michigan State Football: Spartans return EDGE rusher for final season

Michigan State football defensive lineman coach Winston DeLattiboudere III posted a picture of the Spartan defensive line on his Twitter page on Sunday afternoon. Multiple MSU players appeared with DeLattiboudere at 24/7 Golf for a team-bonding activity.

“Enjoyed spending time as a family today!  The Spartan Way!” DeLattiboudere had as a caption on the post.

Among the previously known Spartans, Emmett Matasovsky of from this site pointed out that redshirt senior Isaac Smith appeared to be seen with the team in the background of the photo, seemingly confirming one of the last roster spot questions that MSU fans had.

I spy an Isaac Smith in the back middle of this photo.

Appears the TTU transfer has been approved for one more season of eligibility. https://t.co/uVXpbzM0Lo

— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) January 18, 2026

Smith finished up his redshirt senior year at Michigan State this past season after playing at Texas Tech during the four previous seasons. Those four years were rocky for Smith, as the Wagoner, OK. product was redshirted his first season, and missed 2023 with a injury Smith suffered in training camp.

Smith announced he was entering the transfer portal after his redshirt junior season, where Smith would eventually commit to Jonathan Smith’s Spartans. Although the EDGE did not wreck havoc on the defensive line last season, Smith did start and play in all 12 games and registered 26 total tackles and one sack during the 4-8 campaign.

Now, after Smith applied for another season of eligibility, it appears the NCAA has approved Smith’s request, and allowed him to join full team activities, giving DeLattiboudere and MSU a much-needed body for the defensive line room. Jonathan Smith had previously confirmed that the pass rusher was pursuing an extra year of eligibility following Senior Day in November.

Currently Michigan State stands at seven players on scholarship between the edge rusher and defensive end position. Anelu Lafaele, Southeast Missouri State transfer Trey Lisle, and Smith are expected to be in the starting rotation.  Other key players will be in the conversation for playing time like Weber State transfer Keahnist Thompson, alongside Cal Thrush and Kekai Burnett, likely in the other defensive end role.

Smith fortifies a depleted position if it is confirmed that he will play in East Lansing for his final year of eligibility.  Only speculations thus far, but Smith could be confirmed as soon as tomorrow.