Breakout Watch: five names to know on defense
Paul Konyndyk • SpartanMag.com
With Josiah Scott sidelined for the first month of the '18 season, Josh Butler (19) has the opportunity to be a breakout player on defense.
Dane Robison
EAST LANSING – With so much experience returning on defense, it seems less likely this season that Michigan State will have as many breakout players in the mold of Kenny Willekes, Joe Bachie, Justin Layne, Josiah Scott, and David Dowell last season.
There are, however, several breakthrough candidates in the two-deep, players on the cusp of taking the step from functional to impactful.
A year ago, for instance, Gerald Owens was being touted as a rotation-worthy defensive tackle entering week one. He was better than that, something solid reviews coming from camp failed to telegraph.
Owens is a good example of an incrementally-developing veteran that is easy to overlook at this time of year. For our purposes, however, I'm limiting our pool of eligible candidates to individuals with two letters or fewer, and no more than six career starts.
1. Jacub Panasiuk
Other Spartan defenders are worthy of consideration for the top spot in this index, but Jacub Panasiuk (6-3, 254, So., Lake Park, IL) is the best fit from my perspective.
Panasiuk has the physical ability to do big things. He has a spot in the starting lineup at boundary defensive end, and he has experience to build upon.
It remains to be seen whether Panasiuk can develop into a boundary end on the level of Lawrence Thomas, but I like his chances of emerging as a consistent playmaker as a sophomore this season.
“He’s a playmaker, and he’ll be pretty good this year,” said junior d-end Kenny Willekes, a third-team All-Big Ten selection who led the Spartan d-line in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (14.5) last season. “He played a few snaps last year, and he’s always going to do his job.”
Panasiuk recorded 15 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and a sack in 13 games last season despite struggling with ankle injuries.
“I believe my pass-rush ability has increased, gotten a lot better since last year,” Panasiuk said. “Last year, I wasn’t able to move well laterally because of my ankles. This year my ankles are healthy and I’m moving a lot better.”
Panasiuk is healthy, fit, more explosive, and he has a strong foundation of game experience. Each of those things will serve him well as he aims to make a breakthrough.
“He looks a little bit quicker, which is good,” said defensive coordinator Mike Tresselduring the final week of training camp. “He’s got a little Kenny Willekes awkward, body torque stuff going on.”
T-2. Tyriq Thompson and Brandon Randle
Jacub Panasiuk (96) and Brandon Randle (26).
Gun to my head, I’m choosing Thompson over Randle because I’m tired of being predictable, and choosing upside over accountability.
For this index, however, both are on even footing. Thompson will likely get the nod as Michigan State's starting Money linebacker on Friday, but Randle will finally get his chance to show us what he can do at the position he wants to play.
(Continued below).
Paul Konyndyk • SpartanMag.com
With Josiah Scott sidelined for the first month of the '18 season, Josh Butler (19) has the opportunity to be a breakout player on defense.
Dane Robison
EAST LANSING – With so much experience returning on defense, it seems less likely this season that Michigan State will have as many breakout players in the mold of Kenny Willekes, Joe Bachie, Justin Layne, Josiah Scott, and David Dowell last season.
There are, however, several breakthrough candidates in the two-deep, players on the cusp of taking the step from functional to impactful.
A year ago, for instance, Gerald Owens was being touted as a rotation-worthy defensive tackle entering week one. He was better than that, something solid reviews coming from camp failed to telegraph.
Owens is a good example of an incrementally-developing veteran that is easy to overlook at this time of year. For our purposes, however, I'm limiting our pool of eligible candidates to individuals with two letters or fewer, and no more than six career starts.
1. Jacub Panasiuk
Other Spartan defenders are worthy of consideration for the top spot in this index, but Jacub Panasiuk (6-3, 254, So., Lake Park, IL) is the best fit from my perspective.
Panasiuk has the physical ability to do big things. He has a spot in the starting lineup at boundary defensive end, and he has experience to build upon.
It remains to be seen whether Panasiuk can develop into a boundary end on the level of Lawrence Thomas, but I like his chances of emerging as a consistent playmaker as a sophomore this season.
“He’s a playmaker, and he’ll be pretty good this year,” said junior d-end Kenny Willekes, a third-team All-Big Ten selection who led the Spartan d-line in sacks (7.0) and tackles for loss (14.5) last season. “He played a few snaps last year, and he’s always going to do his job.”
Panasiuk recorded 15 tackles, including three tackles for loss, and a sack in 13 games last season despite struggling with ankle injuries.
“I believe my pass-rush ability has increased, gotten a lot better since last year,” Panasiuk said. “Last year, I wasn’t able to move well laterally because of my ankles. This year my ankles are healthy and I’m moving a lot better.”
Panasiuk is healthy, fit, more explosive, and he has a strong foundation of game experience. Each of those things will serve him well as he aims to make a breakthrough.
“He looks a little bit quicker, which is good,” said defensive coordinator Mike Tresselduring the final week of training camp. “He’s got a little Kenny Willekes awkward, body torque stuff going on.”
T-2. Tyriq Thompson and Brandon Randle
Jacub Panasiuk (96) and Brandon Randle (26).
Gun to my head, I’m choosing Thompson over Randle because I’m tired of being predictable, and choosing upside over accountability.
For this index, however, both are on even footing. Thompson will likely get the nod as Michigan State's starting Money linebacker on Friday, but Randle will finally get his chance to show us what he can do at the position he wants to play.
(Continued below).
