David Santiago - Michigan State University Athletics

Transfer linebacker from Air Force has three seasons of eligibility remaining . . . ranked the No. 12 linebacker in the transfer portal by 247Sports.

2024 SEASON (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AT AIR FORCE): Played in 10 games for the Falcons . . . played 521 snaps at linebacker and 42 on special teams . . . recorded 38 tackles (23 solo, 15 assists) . . . led team with 3.5 sacks (29 yards) and tied for third with 5.0 tackles for loss (36 yards) . . . also forced a fumble and broke up two passes . . . finished with a strong end to the season, recording 4.5 TFLs and 3.5 sacks in four of the last five games . . . tied his season high with six tackles and a 9-yard sack vs. Nevada (11/23) . . . recorded six stops, including a season-best 1.5 sacks (7 yards), while breaking up a pass vs. Oregon State (11/16) . . . delivered a 13-yard sack against Fresno State (11/9) . . . had four tackles, including a 5-yard TFL, at Army (11/2) . . . credited with five tackles against Colorado State (10/19) . . . posted six tackles, including a half tackle for loss (2 yards), and a pass break-up in his collegiate debut vs. Merrimack (8/31).

2023 SEASON (FRESHMAN AT AIR FORCE): Did not see game action to preserve redshirt season.

HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Played defensive end and tight end at Millbrook High School in Raleigh, North Carolina . . . two-time all-conference selection . . . earned all-state honors as a senior in 2022 after recording 83 tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 13 sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries and two blocked kicks; also had 19 catches for 321 yards and five touchdowns . . . helped the Wildcats to a 13-2 record and a berth in the North Carolina 4A Eastern Regional Final . . . collected 52 tackles, including 20 TFLs and four sacks, as a junior . . . tallied 46 tackles, 10 TFLs, six pass break-ups and five forced fumbles as a sophomore . . . played for Coach Hunter Jenks . . . also lettered in baseball and played first base . . . member of the National Honor Society and the National Achiever Society . . . son of Jay and Heather Santiago.

Let’s get after it!! @ChadWilt @RivalsPortal pic.twitter.com/BqbegkKeyC
— David Santiago (@davidsantiiagoo) December 23, 2024