Darius Snow’s approach shows what it means to be a ‘Spartan Dawg’

Darius Snow’s journey to his sixth year of college football has been anything but easy. After a breakout sophomore season in 2021, where he tallied 81 tackles, he was poised for a standout 2022. But a season-ending leg injury in the very first game brought his momentum – and his career – to a screeching halt.

For many athletes, that kind of injury could have been career-ending. And for a while, it wasn’t clear whether Snow would ever return. A holdover from the Mark Dantonio era – having committed to Michigan State back in 2019 – Snow never got to play for the legendary coach, but he embodies the grit, determination, and heart that Dantonio’s players were known for.

Heading into 2023, Snow appeared in just two games before redshirting, prioritizing his health and working to return as close as possible to his 2021 form. Under current head coach Jonathan Smith, Snow returned to action in 2024, playing in 11 games and missing only the Ohio State matchup. Now, as he enters his final year as a Spartan, he’s aiming to contribute in a way he’s long hoped to over the last three seasons.

“I had a great sophomore season, and in my junior year I was expecting to take the next step. Ironically, on September 2, 2022, we played Western Michigan in the same stadium,” said Snow. “So for me, it’s kind of full circle. It’s a chance to go out there and do what I can do – a new opportunity I can never take for granted.”

Not only is Snow the longest-tenured Spartan, but he’s also a vocal leader on and off the field—an example of what it means to be a Spartan Dawg. He believes year two under Jonathan Smith will be a different story for Michigan State, thanks to better preparation and deeper familiarity with the system.

“It’s not the first year in the system,” Snow said. “I mean, we added some new guys, but it’s more about picking up where we left off. So I think we’re ahead in that facet.”

That continuity on defense allows Michigan State to build off last year’s scheme and add more layers to confuse opposing offenses.

“I think we’re doing some different stuff,” Snow added. “Some things we worked on in the spring that worked really well. We’re showing a lot of different looks. I think, to be honest, we’ve done pretty well so far.”

As for Snow’s exact role? That remains to be seen. Linebackers Jordan Hall and Wayne Mathews appear locked in as starters, while Michigan transfer Semaj Bridgeman is also standing out during fall camp. Snow, who has experience playing both linebacker and the nickel position, will be competing for playing time alongside those players.

After a healthy 2024 and a solid offseason, Snow believes he’s close to the version of himself that Spartan fans saw in 2021. But he’s not overly focused on where he sits on the depth chart—he’s concentrating on what he can control.

“Just play hard, man. Play through the whistle, and at the end of the day, know what to do and do what you’re supposed to do.”

This mindset doesn’t always sound like it’s coming from a sixth-year senior—but considering how close he came to being done with football, Snow is going back to the basics. There’s no ego, no sense of entitlement – just professionalism.

“I think it’s the best way to approach college football,” Snow said. “Because obviously we all want to be professionals. The most successful people at this level end up getting a chance at the next level, and you’re going to have to act professional at some point. The people who are super talented but don’t act very professional typically don’t last long – so act as professional as you can early on.”

Snow has played under four different head coaches—including being recruited by Dantonio and spending time under interim coach Harlon Barnett. He could have easily walked away from the game, but his mature approach and mental resilience have kept him going into year six.

He also knows that contributing isn’t just about what happens in games or practice – it’s about the work done behind the scenes.

“You have to study film, you got to know what their tendencies are on top of how we are attacking those tendencies; and on top of that you have to understand things that we’ve maybe have not done as well,” he said.

Given his injury history, Snow is also hyper-aware of the importance of self-care—physically and mentally. Off the field, he likes to keep his mind engaged.

“I like to do artistic things—anything to do with electronics. Doesn’t necessarily have to be design.”

While most fall camp coverage focuses on position battles and schematics, Snow emphasizes something often overlooked: team chemistry. When asked what’s been missing from MSU’s locker room in recent years, he pointed to the relationships between players.

“I think if you look at the best year I had – that’s 2021 – a lot of guys were like friends outside of like being around here,” he said. “And whenever you have guys that are friends, it makes you want to play for each other more … and at the end of the day it always incorporates into football.”

Snow may not be a professional player yet, but his insight into surviving the grind of college football—through injuries, coaching changes, and roster turnover—is a rare voice of experience in today’s game.

Snow’s presence, leadership by example, and deep understanding of what it takes to thrive in college football are poised to be invaluable to Michigan State’s defense this season. He simply gets it—doing things the right way, balancing hard work with the need to recharge, and showing up every day ready to earn his spot.

His journey has been long and anything but smooth—but Snow continues to exemplify exactly what head coach Jonathan Smith wants from his players: low ego, high output. With his work ethic, maturity, and perspective, Snow’s final season in East Lansing is shaping up to be a memorable one.