Michigan State’s coaching change brought turnover across the roster, and edge rusher was no exception. The group, however, will be led by a familiar face.

New head coach Pat Fitzgerald retained former assistant linebackers coach Andrew Bindelglass and assigned him to lead the edge rushers in 2026.

The unit has plenty of room to improve after the Spartans finished 13th in the Big Ten in rushing defense last season, allowing 147.3 yards per game.

A handful of returners from Jonathan Smith’s tenure and several transfers will compete for roles in a rebuilt room.

Before conference play, defensive coordinator Joe Rossi and Bindelglass must sort through a crowded field of candidates competing for snaps.

Establishing a rotation and identifying key contributors will be priorities during the nonconference schedule. Several players enter the season with a clear opportunity to emerge.

Michigan State's Kenny Soares Jr. prepares for a play during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Rush Ends

Kenny Soares Jr. is the likely starter at rush end. The graduate transfer from NC State previously played at Northwestern from 2022-24, including one season under Fitzgerald, and has appeared in 41 career games.

Soares, a native of Trumbull, Connecticut, played all 13 games in 2025, recorded a career-high 80 tackles, and was named the Walter Camp Connecticut Player of the Year, which honors the state’s top college football player who either resides in Connecticut or attended high school there.

Soares could attract NFL interest with a productive final college season. Michigan State will rely on him to help strengthen a run defense that struggled last year.

Fitzgerald also awarded Soares the No. 1 jersey, traditionally given to a player who best represents the program, and named him one of the Spartans’ captains.

Michigan State edge Anelu Lafaele (11) celebrates a tackles against Western Michigan during the first half at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing on Friday, August 29, 2025. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Anelu Lafaele is expected to play a heavy rotational role behind Soares at rush end. He is entering his second season with the Spartans after redshirting at Wisconsin in 2024.

Lafaele appeared in Michigan State’s first five games last season before suffering a season-ending injury against Nebraska in early October. He recorded three tackles, including two sacks, and forced a fumble.

Michigan State's Isaac Smith (13) heads to the sideline during the second quarter on Saturday, Oct. 11, 2025, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect).

Isaac Smith, a sixth-year graduate, is entering his second season at Michigan State and his final year of eligibility after spending four seasons at Texas Tech.

Smith started all 12 games in 2025, recording 26 tackles and one sack. At 6-foot-6 and 260 pounds, he could again see significant snaps at rush end, while his size and experience give the Spartans the flexibility to use him at strong-side defensive end.

Chris Piwowarczyk, a redshirt sophomore and Michigan native, joined the program as a preferred walk-on. He has not appeared in a game through two seasons, but the returning staff is familiar with his work ethic and could give him an opportunity to earn snaps.

Leonard Ah You, a former linebacker, is a redshirt freshman who logged 11 snaps last season. He enrolled at Michigan State in January 2025 after completing a two-year mission for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Cory House Jr., a true freshman from Memphis, Tennessee, stands 6-foot-3 and weighs 230 pounds. 247Sports rated him the nation’s No. 80 edge rusher, while ESPN ranked him the No. 92 outside linebacker. He projects as a developmental piece for the Spartans.

From left, Michigan State's Keahnist Thompson, Eli Coenen, Hudson Aultman and Chris Piwowarczyk run a drill during spring football practice on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in East Lansing. (USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect)

Strong-Side Defensive Ends

Keahnist Thompson is the likely starter at strong-side defensive end. The redshirt senior transferred from Weber State with one season of eligibility remaining after beginning his career at UCF.

Thompson started 19 of 32 games at Weber State. He led the team with four sacks in 2025 and recorded 80 tackles during his career there, giving him the experience to anchor the strong-side rotation.

Sep 6, 2025; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State defensive lineman Kekai Burnett (51) celebrates a double-overtime victory over Boston College at Spartan Stadium. (Credit: Brendan Mullin-Imagn Images)

Kekai Burnett is a leading candidate for rotational snaps. The redshirt sophomore has appeared in 10 games and logged more than 90 snaps during his first two seasons at Michigan State. He could contribute on defense and special teams.

Trey Lisle arrives from Southeast Missouri State with three seasons of eligibility remaining. The 6-foot-6, 254-pound redshirt sophomore made 16 tackles last season but missed the final four games because of an injury.

Jaxson Wilson may be the room’s most intriguing player. The redshirt junior spent his first three seasons at tight end and will debut at edge rusher this fall.

Wilson played defensive end in high school, so the position is not entirely new. Still, he must prove he can handle the physical demands of facing Big Ten offensive tackles after receiving limited playing time at tight end.

Aidan Boehle, a redshirt junior transfer from Winona State, appeared in 18 games and made five starts. The 6-foot-4 end will need to adjust to the speed and physicality of Division I football and the Big Ten.

Outlook

With the home opener approaching, Michigan State’s edge rushers have little time to settle a competitive rotation. The veterans offer a foundation, but the group’s ceiling will depend on how quickly the transfers, young players, and position-switch candidates establish reliable roles.