EAST LANSING - Michigan State’s defense was a big reason behind the Spartans turnaround last season that saw the program go from a disastrous 3-9 season to a 10-3 finish last year that was capped off with a dominating Holiday Bowl win over Washington State.
Redshirt junior defensive end Kenny Willekes, a former walk-on, was key to that turn-around, providing a surprising measure of much-needed help in the pass rush while also remaining solvent individually versus the run. Now, a year older and more experienced, and a shorter haircut, he is encouraged even more about how much the Spartans’ defense can make a difference in 2018.
“I see a lot of confidence and swagger in the guys,’’ he said. “Last year, we were really uncertain. There was a lot of stuff going on (coming into the season) and we were just trying to push forward. Now, coming back with nine returning starters on defense and 10 on offense, I believe, people know what they’re doing and they’re flying around really fast, So, it’s good to see.