Michigan State Football: 5 most irreplaceable players in 2015

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Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) sacks Baylor Bears quarterback Bryce Petty (14) during the fourth quarter in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports

Honestly, Ed Davis was going to be the guy I named at this position, but Riley Bullough is the middle linebacker and, right now, the quarterback of the defense. Losing Davis was tough, but luckily for MSU, there were a couple of guys who stepped up and are making the transition much easier.

The younger brother of former Spartan LB great Max Bullough has filled his sibling’s shoes and is primed to make people forget that an injury ever happened in the linebacking corps.

In his second full season as the team’s starting linebacker, Bullough has beefed up and is looking more and more like Max. If his football IQ and on-field instincts are even a fraction of what his older bro’s were for MSU, the Spartans will be very happy with the production.

Although there are many solid backups at the position of Mike linebacker, I don’t think there’s a better pure leader for the middle of the defense than Riley.

Being in the system for three years and learning from the best, the junior linebacker is ready to really burst out of the shadows and make a name for himself.

Defense wins championships, but this kid already knows that.

Next: 4. Montae Nicholson

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