MSU G/C Miller Talks O-line vs. D-Line Spring Battle

Dating back to the end of the Mark Dantonio era, Michigan State football has struggled to find consistently good offensive line play for a number of years. That's arguably the biggest reason why the Spartans have reached eight or more wins just once in the last six years.

As Michigan State enters a new era under coach Jonathan Smith, improvement along the offensive line is of paramount performance. Smith brought his proven O-line builder with him from Oregon State in position coach Jim Michalczik, who helped turn the Beavers into one of the most physical and punishing rushing teams in the Pac-12 in recent years.

Michigan State's defensive line, on the other hand, should be one of the team's strengths in 2024, and going up against those guys in spring practice has Oregon State transfer guard/center Tanner Miller excited.

"I love it, because here, I think we've got some solid defensive linemen that challenge us each and every day," Miller told reporters on Tuesday. "They're bringing their A-game, which, if we're not, we're going to get exposed and Coach [Michalczik] is going to tell us in that meeting room."

Asked which defensive linemen have stood out to him most so far, Miller mentioned Georgia Tech transfer D'Quan Douse and Middle Tennesse State transfer Quindarius Dunningham for their abilities, but he had the most to say about Michigan State redshirt junior Derrick Harmon.

"I love going against D-Harm," Miller said. "He brings stuff that I haven't seen in games, in practice, on the West Coast. He's a big body that's long, and he's fast. So, he exposes my weaknesses a lot, and I love going against him because that forces me to up my game. And then, when I get him, he's coming back at me with something else. So, it's a constant chess match of who's going to better each other every day."

Battles like the ones between Miller and Harmon are happening throughout Michigan State's spring practice, and both lines of scrimmage are preparing the other for the 2024 season.

"Iron sharpens iron," Miller said. "I love that saying, Coach Smith loves that saying, Coach M tells it to us every single day. And, every day, we need to bring our A-game so not only we can get the D-line better, but they're getting us better. You keep stacking days like that of back-and-forth, chippy, all that stuff — we're going to be a damn good team."

The Michigan State Spartan Football Spring Green and White Game (Spring Showcase) will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.

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