Michigan State Spartans Linebackers (2026): Fitz, Rossi, Bullough find their guys

Snapshot

Michigan State’s 2026 linebacker room isn’t about replacing one player with another; it’s about creating options. With clearer role definitions and better alignment between skill sets and usage, MSU enters the season with a linebacker group that can adapt to personnel, down-and-distance, and opponent tendencies without exposing weaknesses.

This is less about “who starts” and more about what tools the defense now has available.

Departures: Good Run Defense, Moderate Volume, Limited Versatility

Outgoing Players

• Wayne Matthews III – Primary starter, strong run defender

• Snow – Rotational starter, post-injury

• Moa – Backup / special teams

• Bridgeman, Pulliam – Depth

Outgoing Production

• 351 total tackles

• 4.5 sacks

Metrics & Context

Wayne Matthews III

• 86.2 PFF run-defense grade (elite), but Pass Rush (55) and Coverage (61) show he was a one-trick poney.

• High tackle accumulation

• Limited pass-rush and coverage impact

Matthews’ 86.2 PFF run-defense grade was elite, but his impact was highly specialized. The rest of the departures were rotational or depth contributors. MSU loses tackle volume and a reliable run-fit presence, but also clears a room that lacked pass-down flexibility and disruption.

Additions: Specialization, Leadership, and Disruption

Incoming Players

• Crawford – LB first, EDGE second

• Wheatland – coverage- and pressure-capable LB

• Stodghill – rotational LB + special teams

*Soares was a LB at NC State due to injuries at EDGE. MSU views him as an EDGE, that can provide emergency LB depth (on run downs only).

Key In’s (Stats + PFF)

Crawford

• LB first, EDGE second

• 2025 PFF:

  • 78.5 run defense

  • 77.6 pass rush

  • 75.6 tackling

• Better in coverage than Soares

• More effective fitting gaps downhill from the second level

Role: Crawford is a second-level defender by default. His value is in reading flow, scraping, and closing, not carrying receivers on obvious passing downs. In clear-pass situations, he can slide down to the edge, allowing MSU to apply pressure without changing personnel.

This is flexibility without misuse.

Wheatland

• 1,300+ career snaps

• Former green-dot linebacker at Maryland (defensive signal caller)

• 72.2 PFF pass-rush grade (Maryland 2024)

• 74.4 PFF coverage grade (Maryland 2024)

• 15 pressures, 4 sacks in 2024

• 57.7% catch rate allowed in coverage

• Down year at Auburn in 2025

Role: Wheatland is a true pass-down linebacker with leadership credentials. PFF confirms three-down viability when used correctly, making him a key upgrade for third-down stability and pressure without sacrificing coverage.

Stodghill

• 6’3 hybrid LB/DB

• 420 defensive snaps in 2025

• 65 tackles in seven games before season-ending shoulder injury

• PFF grades:

  • Overall DEF: 64.3

  • Run Defense: 62.1

  • Coverage: 64.9 - Average

  • 78.0 tackling

    • Worth noting: His 65 tackles on 234 non-coverage snaps is a 27.8% tackle rate on non-coverage snaps

• Coverage:

  • 186 coverage snaps

  • 19 catches on 26 targets

  • 154 yards, 1 TD

  • 5.9 yards per target

Role: Stodghill profiles as a high-involvement downhill defender with strong tackling efficiency. He is best deployed on early downs, in rotation, and on special teams — not as a coverage eraser, but as a reliable, physical contributor.

Returning

Hall (MIKE)

• Career: 179 tackles, 13 TFL, 7 sacks

• Proven three-down player and defensive anchor

• PFF reinforces how valuable Hall is as the keystone of the Defense

  • Overall DEF: 76.5

  • Run Defense: 71.4

  • Pass Rush: 66.1

  • Coverage: 83.1 (elite for a LB)

  • 643 total snaps

Hall’s return provides continuity and structure, allowing portal additions to slot naturally without forcing leadership responsibilities.

Pretzlaff, White, and Malone all return as RS Sophomores, adding young depth. With Crawford and Hall as Seniors, this group has one more year to develop before fighting for starting LB roles.

Net Year-Over-Year Change

What MSU Loses

• One strong run-defense specialist

• Veteran familiarity

• High single-player tackle concentration

• Low-impact depth snaps

What This Room Can Do Now

Instead of forcing one linebacker type to cover every situation, MSU can now:

• Use Hall + Crawford for run integrity and downhill fits

• Lean on Wheatland when coverage or pressure is needed

• Rotate Stodghill for tackling, depth, and special teams

• Slide Crawford to edge on clear passing downs

• Keep Soares at edge while retaining LB depth if injuries hit

This is menu-based defense, not fixed alignment defense.

Bottom Line

Michigan State’s 2026 linebacker room is more specialized, more versatile, and far more adaptable than it was a year ago.

Instead of relying on one elite run defender and volume-based production, the Spartans now have:

• Defined linebacker roles

• Clear answers for run downs vs pass downs

• Improved pressure and coverage options

• Stronger rotational depth

• A protected development path for younger players

Expect:

• Comparable or higher total tackle production, spread across more players

• A clear increase in tackles for loss and sacks, even without counting edge pressure

• Better matchup control and third-down reliability

This isn’t a rebuild; it’s a structural upgrade that aligns talent, roles, and modern defensive demands.