Michigan State University Athletics
Joel Heath: Ohio-born, Spartan Bred
10/10/2015 12:00:00 AM | Football
By Matt Bontorin, MSU Athletic Communications Student Assistant
It's no secret that since Mark Dantonio took over as head football coach at Michigan State he has recruited the state of Ohio with conviction.
Since 2007, more than a quarter of the student-athletes who have signed to play for the Spartan football program are from the state of Ohio. More interestingly is the focus on the city of Cincinnati â€" a city in which Dantonio and his staff spent three years coaching the University of Cincinnati Bearcats.
This trend of Ohio-born players playing at Michigan State is one in which fifth-year senior defensive tackle Joel Heath said made all the difference when picking a new home for college.
"Being from Ohio, it was a natural fit," said Heath, who's one of 27 Ohio-born players on the 2015 Spartan roster. "It's a pride thing. When you come from Ohio you come from a place where football is huge â€" it's everything. Knowing they came from UC [The University of Cincinnati] and transitioned to Michigan State, you know they have that same Ohio background and that same Ohio kind of feel."
One of Heath's biggest recruiters was fellow Cincinnatian and current assistant head coach/co-defensive coordinator Harlon Barnett. Barnett was a four-year letterwinner as a defensive back at Michigan State (1986-89) and named captain as a senior before playing professionally for seven seasons in the NFL.
"He's a Cincinnati guy and is truly the reason why I came here," said Heath. "He [Barnett] came from the same background as me. His high school is only about 20 minutes away from mine, so I had known about him and Michigan State for quite some time."
Originally recruited as a defensive end, Heath arrived in East Lansing in 2011 ready to make a name for himself. Unfortunately for him, the loads of depth on the defensive line forced him to take a redshirt year and wait in the shadows of Marcus Rush, Will Gholston and All-American Jerel Worthy.
The Spartans went on to win the Big Ten Legends Division that season and returned another dominant defense in 2012. Heath spent another year waiting his turn and learning from the future NFL linemen that were ahead of him on the depth chart.
All along Heath was chomping at the bit to be the next man up on what was expected to be another dominant Michigan State defense in 2013.
When the season rolled around, the Spartan defense did not disappoint. In fact, it was the defensive unit that carried the team through the first part of the season before the offense settled in with its new starters.
After a historic 11-1 regular season, Michigan State defeated Ohio State in the Big Ten Championship Game, securing itself a spot in the 100th Rose Bowl Game.
 | "My family is everything to me and they're the ones that got me to this point. They've supported me through all of this and support me in everything that I do." |
As bowl preparation began, Heath was approached by Dantonio and the staff to make a transition to defensive tackle. Although Heath had played in eight games during the regular season as a back-up defensive end on the nation's No. 1 defense, the 6-foot-6 pass-rusher accepted the challenge immediately.
"It was definitely a huge transition and it took a toll on my body," said Heath. "At defensive tackle you have two guys coming at you at full-pressure. You have to know technique; if you don't, you're going to get blown off the line."
Heath continued making the transition throughout the summer and when he came back for his junior year, he not only had adjusted schematically, but also added 30 pounds of muscle to his frame to weigh-in at an imposing 293-pounds.
"I had to be really conscience of what I should and shouldn't eat," said Heath. "Just knowing how much and how often to eat changed my body composition pretty dramatically."
With a new role on the defensive line and a new set of tools, Heath made his first career start in the Spartans' 2014 season-opening win against Jacksonville State. Heath recorded three tackles in that game, including one for loss.
Heath went on to start in 12 of the Spartans' 13 games in 2014, and was a key factor in holding opponents to an average of just 87.5 yards rushing per game â€" the lowest in the nation. He also played a pivotal role in the Cotton Bowl win over No. 4 Baylor, a game in which he points to as a telling tale of his team's daunting will.
"That was a game that really defined our defense in many ways," said Heath. "We were down big in the second half and their offense kept beating our defense for big plays. Instead of giving up though, we had the heart and the passion to buckle down, scheme up, and dig in deep to help get the win."
Heath's patient rise to prominence on the Spartan defense had many asking where his motivation came. The humble Ohioan is quick to credit everyone but himself.
"My family is everything to me and they're the ones that got me to this point," said Heath. "They've supported me through all of this and support me in everything that I do."
Before Heath's Spartan career comes to a close in 2015, there are many things left to accomplish both on and off the field.
Heath is a hard-working student who balances football with his classes. He also secured an internship with Michigan State University Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU).
"My internship opportunity is huge because it allows me to be able to learn so much and meet so many different people," said Heath. "Where I came from, knowledge isn't as obtainable as it is here. I'm trying to acquire all the knowledge that I can and leave Michigan State with a degree."
Heath is on track to graduate in December with a degree in community governance and advocacy â€" a degree that will be complemented by his experience at MSUFCU. Heath is currently working with the vice president at the credit union to help expand their services to different communities in the Lansing-area.
"It gives me a good opportunity to be able to network within the community of Lansing and use my degree to benefit people," said Heath. "I'll be working with MSUFCU to help people understand how important it is to focus on the financial aspect of life."
With his time winding down as a Spartan, Heath talked about just how much he's going to miss his teammates and in particular his teammates on the defensive line.
"'AWOL,' or Animals Without a Leash, is our nickname, "said Heath with a laugh. "I'm going to miss those guys â€" they are my brothers. I'm going to miss the time I get to share with those guys. The time that we've had together is irreplaceable."
This feature was originally published in the Sept. 26 edition of Michigan State Football Gameday Magazine.
