Michigan State defense feeling the impact of linebacker addition Jordan Turner

Michigan State defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Joe Rossi arrived in East Lansing last winter, joining the staff of new Spartan head coach Jonathan Smith in December 2023. Upon his arrival, Rossi inherited a roster that included some experienced linebackers, including fifth-year senior Cal Haladay, redshirt junior Darius Snow and sophomore Jordan Hall, who earned a significant role as a freshman the prior season.

But Rossi and the Michigan State staff went into the transfer portal to bring in even more experience, adding sixth-year senior Jordan Turner from Wisconsin, Old Dominion junior Wayne Matthews, sophomore Marcellius Pulliam from Miami, and redshirt freshman Semaj Bridgeman from Michigan.

When speaking to the media on Tuesday, Haladay called Michigan State’s linebacker room one of the most experienced he has been apart of in his career.

“I think we have a really good linebacker room,” Haladay said. “I mean, you can pick your poison. JT (Jordan Turner) is a very physical player. I think Wayne is a very good player, too. He is a good athlete, very versatile, too. Jordan (Hall), the same. He is a very versatile player. We have a good group of guys. Anyone can go on the field and produce.”

Michigan State’s newly-added depth will only bolster the room, and Haladay is relieved to know that he won’t be relied upon to play an overwhelming number of the snaps this fall. The veteran linebacker feels the depth will help the group stay healthy throughout the season, too.

“Having more guys being able to play makes it easier on everyone else,” Haladay said. “You are saving each other the workload to stay in the game, and that way you can trust everybody that goes in and they will be effective and efficient in what they do.

“You don’t want to go into a game taking 90 snaps a game. If you can split that up, then you save your body for the haul. It’s a long season, so staying healthy is a huge thing.”

At Big Ten media days, junior defensive back Dillion Tatum was asked to name one newcomer, outside of quarterback Aidan Chiles, that he’s most excited to play with in 2024.

His answer? Turner. The Farmington Hills, Mich., native has one year of eligibility remaining, as he logged 135 tackles (12.5 for a loss), five sacks, three interceptions, six pass break-ups and two forced fumbles in 30 career games with the Badgers.

“Him and I are literally from the same city, we grew up 10 minutes away from each other,” Tatum said of Turner. “I never got the chance to play with him growing up or in high school. I think he’s going to be a very good player. A lot of leadership, a lot of football in his mind, and he is always helping a brother out when I need it.”

Following Michigan State’s first practice of fall camp on Tuesday, sixth-year defensive tackle Maverick Hansen was asked about the player on the Spartan defense that would surprise outsiders the most this fall. His answer, of course: Turner.

“I don’t know (about) the hype around Jordan Turner, but Jordan Turner, man,” Hansen said. “Him and I share the same hometown. We went against each other in high school. He is a guy. (Jordan) is willing to put his face in the fan. I don’t really hear too much about him, but I think he will surprise some people this year.”

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