Michigan State Football: Top 50 players of all time

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; View of a Michigan State Spartans helmet with streamers and confetti after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports

40. Charlie Thornhill

As a member of one of the best defenses in Michigan State history, Charlie “Mad Dog” Thornhill was one of the hardest hitting linebackers to ever suit up in green and white.

According to msuspartans.com, Thornhill will always be remembered as one of the best hitters and toughest competitors in school history. His teammate Dwight Lee and head coach Duffy Daugherty reflected on his play all the way by in 1966:

"“Mad Dog is one of the hardest hitting guys I’ve ever come across,” Spartan halfback Dwight Lee said following a scrimmage in the spring of 1966. “I hate to scrimmage against him; he hits hard every time, and he’s in on every tackle.” “Charlie gives everything he’s got all the time,” Coach Daugherty said in an interview during the 1966 season. “He has tremendous speed and quickness and is a wonderful competitor.”"

The hard-hitting middle linebacker finished his senior season being named to the first-team All-Big Ten squad and was absolutely feared by opponents. He helped the Spartans to their most successful era of MSU football by winning two national titles in 1965, 1966.

Next: 39. Ed Smith