Michigan State DE Quindarius Dunnigan is quicker, leaner and smarter heading into final season

EAST LANSING, Mich. – There’s not many college football players who are fortunate enough get seven years of eligibility. Michigan State’s Quindarius Dunnigan is in that category, and Michigan State may prove to be the fortunate one.

Dunnigan will move into rarified territory when he takes the field on Aug. 30 for the Spartans’ season opener against Western Michigan.

After  spending five seasons at Middle Tennessee State (2019-23), where he played in 33 games – despite missing the 2021 season due to injury, getting the 2020 COVID waiver, and redshirting in 2019 – Dunnigan hit the transfer portal and ended up at Michigan State in 2024.

It was a big move but the 6-foot-4, 265-pound Tennessee native showed signs last season that his elevation to a higher brand of competitive football was not a mistake.

After earning second team All-Conference USA honors as a member of the Blue Raiders in 2023, Dunnigan came to East Lansing last season and contributed off the bench. Going into year two as a Spartan, he is showing an increased physical and mental aptitude for the task of Big Ten football.

“When I first came in, I really didn’t know what to expect. I came from MTSU, to just a different level of football, honestly,’’ he said. “But I kind of got an idea now and I do feel more comfortable, for sure. Another year with the guys and with the coaching staff.’’

That knowledge carried over to the off-season. Defensive line coach Legi Suiaunoa raved about the gains his linemen have made during winter workouts. 

“And it starts with one with Q Dunnigan,” Suiaunoa said. “He’s moving as well as I’ve ever seen him move. Even though he’s been in college for a long time, I think he’s made a big jump as an athlete from last year to this year, and what we’re seeing out of him right now.”

Despite everything being new last season, during a disappointing 5-7 finish, Dunnigan was able to play in 11 games, showing promise, recording 17 tackles, with four tackles for loss and one sack.

But even with his decent production, Dunnigan understands that he must take his game to another level. One area he feels will help accomplish that is a slimmed down frame.

After playing at 275 for most of last season, Dunnigan has dropped 10 pounds in order to increase his quickness and mobility.

“I’m a little less, 265 probably, that’s the goal,’’ he said. “I might stay around there, might go up and down, it depends (but) I’m carrying it well now, so I feel good. Let’s see how it goes.

“I felt like I could have moved a lot better (last season), and (the coaches) agreed. So, we found a number and I’m just playing with it right now. It’s the perfect time for it, spring ball, to see how I’m able to move around (but come fall) camp we’ll have a definite number.’’

He says he hasn’t lost any strength. 

“I think I’m able to play anywhere on the D-line,’’ he said. “I think that I can bring real value to the team doing whatever the team needs. So whatever they need, I got them.’’

That would mean playing in the stand-up position or as a down defensive lineman, coming off the edge, as well as getting a push on the interior.

Dunnigan had three sacks at Middle Tennessee State in 2023. He’s never been an ominous edge threat, but there are indications that he could provide a little more punch in that area in 2025.

“(It’s) finishing up, plays,” he said. “I put myself in position a lot of times (but it’s) just making the tackles that I need to make. And pass rush, for sure, is definitely a big, big emphasis on just my personal game. I think we can all can make an impact in the pass rush game. So it’s just accepting the challenges as a d-line, understanding that we want to do better, so we’re going to do better.’’

Dunnigan is sharing reps with junior Jalen Thompson at the down defensive end position, not to be confused with the stand-up rush end position. Both players have had promising moments at various checkpoints of their career, but flat-lined with production in 2024. Now, they have improved their bodies and are hungry and confident about 2025.

“Consistency and technique is the biggest thing,” Dunnigan said. “We know what to do. It’s just about when the live bullets are flying, how well are we going to stick to our level of training? That’s the basic thing. So, just being able to repeat it over and over again to where it’s just unconsciously doing it. We definitely feel like we put ourselves in position to make plays (last season). We just got to do it more consistently.’’

Six years of college football experience has made him a sage in the locker room. He acquired an Allied Health Technology bacheler’s degree at Middle Tennessee State and pursuing a certificate in lifelong education at Michigan State.

“God blessed me with an opportunity to lead, and I’m thankful for it, thankful to have that kind of influence on the team,’’ Dunnigan said. “I appreciate the guys looking up to me and asking me questions. I mean, I’ve been in college for a long time, so I got a lot more answers than anybody else would.”

And Michigan State is hoping Dunnigan can take that next step toward becoming a difficult riddle for opposing offenses.