I have seen a lot of talk about 2019's DL and how it compares to the Rose Bowl champ team. Thought it would be good to have it's own thread.
Unit Comparison:
2013 DL:
DE: Shilique
DT: Hoover
DT: Reynolds
DE: Rush
2019 DL:
DE: Willikes
DT: Panasiuk
DT: Williams
DE: Panasiuk
I would agree with @dimambr3 that 2019 has a big edge at the DT spot, but the DE are very close. I think Willikes is the best overall, but I think Shilique and Rush are #'s 2 and 3 with Panasiuk 4.
Winner: Push (2019 sightly better)
2013 LB's:
Star: T. Jones
Mike: Bullough
Sam: Denicos
2019: LB's
Star: Simmons
Mike: Bachie
Sam: Thompson/Randle
This is another case where I think the 2019 has the best player of the group (Bachie) but I think 2013 has the best trio of LB's. It is close though and I expect Thompson and Simmons to really step up.
Winner: 2013
2013 DB's:
CB: Waynes
S: Drummond
S: Lewis
CB: Dennard
2019 DB's:
CB: Scott
S: Henderson
S: Dowell
CB: Butler/Gervin
The 2013 DB's are the best unit MSU has assembled under Dantonio, in my opinion. This one is pretty clearly in their favor.
Winner: 2013
Overall, I think it will be very close in terms of production and stats at the end of the year. 2013 is the gold standard for defense in the B1G and MSU will be in great shape if the 2019 defense is even close to that level. It is hard to grade a defense before they take the field as a unit, but the current defense has all the pieces they need to be really good. I worry a bit about the corner opposite Scott and worry about Henderson because he is a new starter, but he looks very promising. I think Gervin wins the other CB spot at some point.
Unit Comparison:
2013 DL:
DE: Shilique
DT: Hoover
DT: Reynolds
DE: Rush
2019 DL:
DE: Willikes
DT: Panasiuk
DT: Williams
DE: Panasiuk
I would agree with @dimambr3 that 2019 has a big edge at the DT spot, but the DE are very close. I think Willikes is the best overall, but I think Shilique and Rush are #'s 2 and 3 with Panasiuk 4.
Winner: Push (2019 sightly better)
2013 LB's:
Star: T. Jones
Mike: Bullough
Sam: Denicos
2019: LB's
Star: Simmons
Mike: Bachie
Sam: Thompson/Randle
This is another case where I think the 2019 has the best player of the group (Bachie) but I think 2013 has the best trio of LB's. It is close though and I expect Thompson and Simmons to really step up.
Winner: 2013
2013 DB's:
CB: Waynes
S: Drummond
S: Lewis
CB: Dennard
2019 DB's:
CB: Scott
S: Henderson
S: Dowell
CB: Butler/Gervin
The 2013 DB's are the best unit MSU has assembled under Dantonio, in my opinion. This one is pretty clearly in their favor.
Winner: 2013
Overall, I think it will be very close in terms of production and stats at the end of the year. 2013 is the gold standard for defense in the B1G and MSU will be in great shape if the 2019 defense is even close to that level. It is hard to grade a defense before they take the field as a unit, but the current defense has all the pieces they need to be really good. I worry a bit about the corner opposite Scott and worry about Henderson because he is a new starter, but he looks very promising. I think Gervin wins the other CB spot at some point.
