Michigan State enters the 2026 season with a new coaching staff, plenty of new faces and major questions surrounding its defense. But there is one player the Spartans already know they can count on.
Jordan Hall.
The senior linebacker enters his fourth season in East Lansing as one of the most experienced players on the roster and one of the biggest pieces of the Pat Fitzgerald era. After leading Michigan State in tackles last season, expectations for Hall are higher than ever in 2026.
Coming Off His Best Season Yet
Hall took a major step forward as a junior in 2025.
He started all 12 games and led Michigan State with 88 total tackles, including 47 solo tackles. Hall also recorded 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and an interception.
Those numbers were even more impressive considering what Hall was dealing with physically.
Following Michigan State’s spring showcase, Hall revealed that he battled turf toe for much of the season before suffering an oblique injury against Michigan and eventually tearing it against Minnesota. Despite the injuries, he continued playing and appeared in every game.
Now healthy and back for his senior season, Hall has a chance to take another jump.
The Leader of a New-Look Defense
Michigan State’s defense will look much different in 2026.
There has been major roster turnover, with Hall expected to be one of only a handful of returning starters. That makes his experience even more important as Fitzgerald and the new defensive staff try to establish a tougher identity.
Hall has already embraced that responsibility.
At Big Ten Media Days, Hall described the identity Michigan State wants defensively with three words: “How – Toughness – Technique.”
That fits exactly with what Fitzgerald is trying to build.
Hall isn’t just expected to make tackles anymore. He’ll be responsible for helping organize the defense, communicating adjustments and making sure a unit filled with new players is ready every Saturday.
Michigan State Has Added Help Around Him
The good news for Hall is that Michigan State has worked to rebuild the linebacker room around him.
Dion Crawford and Cam Stodghill are among the new additions, while Caleb Wheatland and Brady Pretzlaff give the Spartans additional options. Hall is projected to remain in the middle, giving Michigan State an experienced player to build everything around.
That could also allow Hall to be more aggressive.
Michigan State struggled defensively last season, allowing 29.9 points and 378.7 yards per game. If the new staff can improve the players around Hall and create more pressure up front, he should have more opportunities to attack instead of constantly cleaning up plays at the second level.
Could 100 Tackles Be Within Reach?
After recording 88 tackles while playing through injuries last season, 100 tackles should be a realistic goal for Hall in 2026.
He has already shown he can be productive. The next step is becoming more disruptive.
Michigan State would love to see Hall increase his tackles for loss and sacks while continuing to create turnovers. His three forced fumbles last season showed his ability to change games beyond simply bringing down the ball carrier.
If Hall stays healthy for a full season, he has a chance to put together the best year of his college career.
All-Big Ten Expectations Are Already There
Hall isn’t flying under the radar entering the season.
Phil Steele named him Preseason First-Team All-Big Ten, making him one of Michigan State’s most highly regarded players heading into 2026.
Now it’s about living up to those expectations.
Hall enters the year with 179 career tackles, 13 tackles for loss and seven sacks, giving him more proven production than almost anyone else on Michigan State’s defense.
For a defense trying to find a new identity, having that type of player in the middle matters.
Hall Has a Chance to Finish His MSU Career on a High Note
Jordan Hall came to Michigan State as a highly rated recruit with expectations of eventually becoming one of the faces of the Spartan defense.
Three years later, that time has arrived.
The 2026 season isn’t about potential anymore. Hall is a senior, a proven Big Ten linebacker and one of the leaders of a Michigan State team trying to turn things around under Fitzgerald.
If the Spartans’ defense takes a major step forward this season, there’s a good chance Hall will be right in the middle of it.
Michigan State needs a leader on defense in 2026, and Jordan Hall has everything needed to become exactly that.
