Michigan State Linebacker Declares For 2024 NFL Draft

Windmon burst on to the scene during his first eight games at Michigan State in 2022, recording 49 tackles, including 10.5 tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks. He added a nation-leading six forced fumbles, three pass breakups and an interception for MSU, was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times and earned two National Defensive Player of the Week honors early that year.

Unfortunately, Windmon's season was cut short after he was suspended for the final four games of 2022 for his involvement in the now-infamous tunnel incident at Michigan Stadium. Reinstated ahead of the 2023 season, Windmon started at linebacker in each of the first three games for the Spartans this year before suffering a season-ending injury in Week 3 against Washington. He totaled 15 tackles, two tackles for loss and a sack in his limited playing time this season.

Earlier this offseason, Michigan State linebacker Aaron Brule also declared for the 2024 NFL Draft, though the sixth-year senior had already exhausted his college eligibility anyway, so a return to MSU was not in the cards. Brule's graduation remains a big loss for the Spartans however, as he was a starter in most of the 24 games he appeared in at MSU over the past two seasons. As a Spartan, Brule tallied 94 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss, nine sacks, three pass breakups and a fumble recovery.

Michigan State's linebacker room also lost some depth with the departure of redshirt freshman Quavian Carter, who has entered the transfer portal. The former three-star prospect from Georgia was injured throughout the 2023 season and never played in a game for MSU.

The Spartans return redshirt junior Cal Haladay and freshman Jordan Hall, who both played significant roles in last season and are the early favorites to start at linebacker in 2024. Redshirt junior Darius Snow, who briefly explored transfer options this offseason, is also back and hopes to be a contributor again for MSU after a significant leg injury in the 2022 season-opener derailed his career. Michigan State signed high three-star linebacker prospect Brady Pretzlaff, and holds a commitment from three-star LB prospect Jadyn Walker in the 2024 recruiting class.

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