BREAKING:  Michigan State loses a top defensive player…

Michigan State will be without one of its key defensive players from the 2023 season when the football team returns to action in the upcoming fall. Former starting defensive end Zion Young, who played a significant role for the Spartans, announced his commitment to the Missouri Tigers via social media, concluding his time in the transfer portal after about a month and a half.

The departure of Young adds to Michigan State’s substantial loss of around 20 players to the transfer portal since the conclusion of the 2023 season. Young, who made an impact as a true freshman in 2022, participated in eight games and secured two starts at defensive end, tallying 21 tackles, including two tackles for loss and a sack. In the 2023 season, he became a full-time starter and recorded 26 tackles, with 4.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks. Despite the setback, Young will have two seasons of eligibility remaining at Missouri.

As the team enters the winter conditioning phase with spring practice on the horizon, Michigan State is facing a shortage at the defensive end position for the 2024 season. While the depth is limited, returning starter Khris Bogle, Middle Tennessee transfer Quindarius Dunningham, and promising young players such as Ken Talley, Bai Jobe, and Andrew Depaepe provide some talent on the edges. However, the coaching staff led by Smith will actively seek potential edge rushers in the transfer portal during the winter and spring to bolster the team’s defensive lineup.