Michigan State Spartans senior defensive end Jacub Panasiuk has reversed his initial decision to opt out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19 concerns, and will be playing this fall after all.
October 24th... #GoGreen pic.twitter.com/LJahsl9CVO
— Jacub Panasiuk (@JacubPanasiuk) September 18, 2020
Panasiuk was the first Spartan to announce he was going to opt out. He has played in 38 career games, including 13 as a true freshman. He was also graded the highest pass-rusher returning to the Big Ten by Pro Football Focus.
Detroit News’s Matt Charboneau confirmed the news Panasiuk will be returning.
MSU spokesman confirms DE Jacub Panasiuk has opted in and will play this fall. Senior originally opted out in early August.
— Matt Charboneau (@mattcharboneau) September 18, 2020
Panasiuk has started 23 consecutive games. Throughout the duration of his entire career, he has amassed 80 tackles, 18.5 of those for a loss, eight sacks, and four forced fumbles. Panasiuk is expected to be a starter this season as well now that he will be playing after all. His return is a big boost for a defense having to replace eight starters from last season.