Michigan State Football: 5 potential breakout stars for 2017

Michigan State football’s 2017 spring practices are in the books and here are five  Spartans who could break out this season.

Michigan State football has wrapped up spring ball and we are now headed into the dog days of summer. The time from now until kickoff of the first game will feel like it’s dragging on, but spring provided fans some good play and solid storylines that should hold them over until fall.

While the spring game wasn’t what everyone was expecting with a number of players suspended and/or injured, there were still standout performances all around.

Both on the defensive side of things and on offense, a number of players seemed to grow into their own during the Green & White game, providing a glimpse of potential for the upcoming season. Which players are set to break out in 2017?

Let’s take a look at the five guys who might just have monster years for the Spartans, bursting onto the scene in 2017.

Kenny Willekes was an unranked linebacker from Rockford High in the 2015 class. He committed to Michigan State as a preferred walk-on, but has since earned a scholarship — not long before the Spartans’ spring game did the news break.

The move had fans scratching their heads, but they soon realized that he was worth the scholarship and may very well be starting games at defensive end this fall. He played one of the best spring games of any defensive lineman and solidified himself as a major contributor up front.

Looking for some high praise for Willekes from Mark Dantonio?

If Willekes can play like he did in the spring game or if he’s anything like Marcus Rush, the Spartans may have found the next former walk-on star. He looked like a four-star recruit during the spring scrimmage, but can he keep it up?

Oh yeah, and his teammates have been praising him all spring. Chris Frey is one of those guys who has been singing his praises.

Willekes had eight tackles, 1.5 for loss, in the spring game.