Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) celebrates a win over the Michigan Wolverines during the second half of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Who are the top 50 players in Michigan State Football history?
Going down the list of the top Michigan State football players of all time, one thing has been very clear: there has been no shortage of talent throughout the program’s history — even during the down periods, such as John L.’s reign.
Stretching back to the era of national titles for Michigan State in the 1950s and 1960s, the Spartans have put some solid talent into the NFL and have seen it flourish at the next level.
The same goes for Michigan State football today. Over the past decade, Michigan State has been thriving in the NFL, sending guys like Le’Veon Bell, Jeremy Langford, Kirk Cousins, Brian Hoyer, Darqueze Dennard and Trae Waynes to the league with the opportunity to start at each of their respective positions over the next year-plus.
Let’s take a look at the top 50 players in school history, as voted on by our writers, and let us know who we missed or who should be higher/lower in the comment section below.
50. Chris Baker
Chris Baker might just be the best tight end in Michigan State history. In fact, Baker has the best stats of any player at the position at MSU.
Playing from 1998-2001, Baker had a chance to play for two coaches during his time in East Lansing: Nick Saban and Bobby Williams. Despite switching coaches, and offensive playbooks, from the 1999 to 2000 seasons, he still put up some big-time numbers for a tight end in his final two years with the program.
During his freshman and sophomore seasons, Baker had 305 and 391 receiving yards, respectively, with seven touchdown receptions. As a junior, his numbers spiked as he caught 33 passes for 461 yards and two touchdowns. Baker’s senior year was his best, catching 40 passes for 548 yards and four scores.
Over his four-year career, Baker ranks ninth all-time in receptions (133), 19th in receiving yards (1,705) and 13th in touchdown catches (13). Not many tight ends will ever approach those numbers at MSU, but Josiah Price is close — and has even surpassed Baker in touchdowns (16).
Next: 49. Jerel Worthy
49. Jerel Worthy
It’s tough to see former Spartan defensive tackle Jerel Worthy struggle to find a job in the NFL, especially with how successful his career at Michigan State was.
Not exactly the highest touted recruit out of high school, Worthy had a huge frame and put up some great numbers in his senior season at Wayne High School in Huber Heights, Ohio, recording 50 tackles, 10.5 sacks and 12 QB hurries. He made a name for himself because of that, but the Spartans noticed his potential early on.
As a true freshman in 2009, he had 37 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks and two pass deflections, earning himself a solid spot as a starter on MSU’s defensive line.
Worthy’s sophomore season was even more impressive as he finished with 40 tackles, eight tackles of loss and four sacks. His NFL Draft stock was rising by the week and the Spartans knew they would have a tough time keeping him around for four years. After a junior season in which he recorded 30 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, Worthy chose to head to the NFL.
One of the most physically-imposing defensive linemen in MSU history might have been better off giving college one more year and seeing his draft stock continue to elevate. He was picked 51st overall in 2012 by the Green Bay Packers and his professional career has been a major disappointment.
Next: 48. Aaron Burbridge
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) runs for yards after a catch against the Michigan Wolverines during the 1st quarter of a game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
48. Aaron Burbridge
Aaron Burbridge really came out of nowhere in 2015 to take the reigns as Michigan State’s best receiver and even earning Big Ten receiver of the year honors — the second such Spartan to do so in as many years.
After losing Tony Lippett to the NFL, Burbridge knew he would need to put up better numbers than his usual 300 yards and 30 catches each season in order for Michigan State to succeed offensively, and he stepped up big time. He currently has 80 catches for 1,219 yards and seven touchdowns as a senior and could potentially reach the 100-catch mark if all goes well in the final two games of the year.
Many argue that he’s a better receiver than Lippett was, but it’s so difficult to tell even though Burbridge might be a little more athletic than his predecessor.
Through his first three seasons, the former four-star high school recruit was considered a bit of a disappointment as he had 80 catches for just over 900 yards and only three touchdowns, but he has put together a mammoth season to topple those numbers and rise up the ranks as one of MSU’s greatest receivers.
In fact, Burbridge is second all-time in receptions at Michigan State, surprisingly, with 160, passing Lippett’s 149 which is good for third place. He is also one receiving yard away from moving into eighth place in school history with the potential to move into fourth place, realistically, before the season is done.
Next: 47. Tony Lippett
Sep 6, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tony Lippett (14) runs the ball in the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports
47. Tony Lippett
Not many receivers went from unknown scout team hero to All-Big Ten in the way Lippett did from his freshman to senior seasons at Michigan State. As a freshman, he caught just four passes for 44 yards and was used primarily as the scout team player to mirror Denard Robinson and help the Spartan defense prepare for their rivalry game against the Wolverines.
It wasn’t until his junior year that he really started to show flashes of greatness on the offensive side of the ball, catching 44 passes for 613 yards and two touchdowns. The year before that, as a sophomore, he had just over 300 yards receiving and it was unlikely that he would develop into the No. 1 target whom the Spartans desperately needed.
During the 2012 season, it looked like no receiver would ever step up from that roster to be a top-level player, but Lippett did just that.
Surviving the Andrew Maxwell era from 2012 into the first couple games of 2013, Lippett became one of the more reliable wide outs in the country, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2014 while helping the Spartans win the Cotton Bowl. His touchdown the year before in the Rose Bowl was one of the daggers which led the Spartans to victory.
Lippett finished his career with 149 receptions (3rd) for 2,247 yards (5th) and 15 touchdowns (8th) as well as Big Ten receiver of the year honors in 2014. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins to play cornerback in the fifth round of 2015, showing his athleticism.
Next: 46. Denicos Allen
Jan 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Denicos Allen (28) celebrates after Michigan State Spartans beat Stanford Cardinal 24-20 at the Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY Sports
46. Denicos Allen
Denicos Allen was on one of the best defenses in Michigan State football history from 2010-13, along with some other players on this list. Those MSU defenses were considered the best in the Mark Dantonio era and even earned the nickname “No Fly Zone” along with having one of the top run defenses in the nation.
Heck, Denicos Allen and Max Bullough combined for one of the greatest duo of linebackers since the 1960s and the former was an absolute monster in the pass rush game. His numbers don’t exactly pop off the page at you and he hasn’t made it in the NFL quite yet — still in the CFL — but he’s still one of the most feared linebackers to play for MSU.
Allen finished his Spartan career with 278 tackles and an interception while ranking seventh all time in sacks with 19.5 and third in tackles for loss with 46. He was a master at rushing the passer and getting into the backfield. These stats all basically came from his last three years at Michigan State as he played sparingly as a freshman.
The outside linebacker was an All-Big Ten selection who was known for finding the ball carrier as well as anyone in the nation and even had one of the most memorable sacks you will ever see, soaring over Ohio State blockers for a sack back in 2011.
Next: 45. Drew Stanton
45. Drew Stanton
Before the dual-threat quarterback era in college football really took off, Drew Stanton was the guy for Michigan State. He was one of the best at tucking the ball and going at defenders, no matter the size. He was probably just as trustworthy running the ball as well as passing it.
Imagine if Drew Stanton played for Mark Dantonio and his dynamic offenses, but instead, he played during the John L. Smith era and had about as much success as he possibly could. Stanton was just 14-21 in three years as the starter for Michigan State, never making a bowl game during his time in East Lansing and never winning more than five games.
Stanton finished his career with 6,524 yards and 42 touchdowns with 28 interceptions. He ranks fourth in school history in passing yards, seventh in passing touchdowns and first in completion percentage at just over 64 percent.
Like I said before, he was one of the best at running with the ball as well, finishing with 1,512 yards on the ground and 15 interceptions.
Stanton’s best season came as a junior when he passed for just over 3,000 yards and 22 touchdowns while completing 66 percent of his passes. He’s now Carson Palmer’s backup on the Arizona Cardinals.
Next: 44. Bob Apisa
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; A Michigan State Spartans fan cheers against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
44. Bob Apisa
Not often do you see a fullback make the list, but Bob Apisa was an athletic anomaly who really broke ground for Hawaiian-born athletes in college football. He set up the pipeline for players like Marcus Mariota to come from the islands and make it in college football and eventually the NFL.
Besides being a legend in his home state of Hawaii, Apisa was one of the best fullbacks in college football, and MSU, history. Although his position is known primarily for blocking, as it always has, Apisa broke the tradition a bit, running the ball far more than a normal fullback ever would, or had.
A backfield with him and blocking for Clinton Jones was a scary thought for defenses, especially when the blocker was almost as good as the running back himself.
In 1965, as a freshman, Apisa was seventh in the Big Ten in rushing attempts with 126, racking up 715 yards and 10 touchdowns in the process. The next season, his numbers dipped a bit, but the physical, blocking/rushing fullback finished with 445 yards and eight touchdowns. His final season was the least impressive as he failed to reach the end zone nor the 200-yard mark.
Show me another fullback in college football who has rushed for over 1,300 yards and 18 touchdowns — I bet you can’t.
Apisa is 23rd in MSU history in touchdown runs.
Next: 43. Trae Waynes
Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Trae Waynes (15) during warmups before the game against the Baylor Bears in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. The Spartans defeated the Bears 42-41. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
43. Trae Waynes
On our All-Time Spartan Football Team in which our writers voted on last week, Renaldo Hill, not Trae Waynes was named the second best Michigan State cornerback ever. After reviewing what each of them brought to the table, Waynes passed up Hill as the second best at the position at Michigan State and really helped turn Michigan State into a national power.
If Hill were on a successful team such as the 2013 and 2014 Spartans, he would have a good chance to be on this list, but for now, he’s just an honorable mention.
Waynes played three seasons at Michigan State and wasn’t exactly considered an elite prospect out of high school, but exceeded expectations, just like his cornerback mate for two seasons, Darqueze Dennard.
The current Minnesota Vikings cornerback and first-round draft pick played very little in his first season at Michigan State, but broke out as a sophomore, recording 50 tackles and three interceptions and had a solid junior season with 46 tackles and three picks, entering the NFL Draft a year early.
Waynes was dubbed an All-American and All-Big Ten player, considered one of the best lockdown cornerbacks in school history. He could guard any team’s best receiver and his side of the field was rarely targeted.
Next: 42. Eric Allen
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans fans cheer during the first quarter against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
42. Eric Allen
Eric ‘The Flea’ Allen, also nicknamed ‘Easy’ for his running style, has one of the most impressive records in Michigan State history, recording 350 rushing yards and four touchdowns against Purdue in 1971 — oh yeah, and that was on just 29 carries. It happened to be a NCAA record at the time and has since been passed, but that impressive mark may never be topped by another Spartan.
According to former teammate back in 1971, offensive guard Joe DeLamielleure, the late Eric Allen will always be remembered. He had this to say, according to MSU’s athletics site, following his death in 2015 at the age of 66:
"“Eric had a remarkable senior year and he performed on a national stage. He put on a show while setting the NCAA single-game rushing record at Purdue. I almost felt guilty because I literally had to hold my block for only a second and he was gone. It was like being asked to babysit when the kids were already asleep. He was so shifty, like a rubber-band man. Eric ran wild against a Purdue defense that featured a number of great players, including Dave Butz, Gregg Bingham and Steve Baumgartner. All three of those guys became NFL Draft picks. Eric had a couple of nicknames, including `The Flea’ and `Easy.’ We called him `Easy’ because of his running style. He was such a peanut, but he wouldn’t back down from anyone. Eric almost had a split personality. He was so friendly off the field, but he was so little, yet so tough. Eric was a great team player; he was never concerned about individual honors.”"
As one of the best running backs to never receive enough attention, Allen finished his career as the all-time leading rusher in MSU history with 2,654 yards and 28 touchdowns. Those numbers would soon be passed by Steve Smith and Blake Ezor.
Next: 41. Jack Conklin
Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) walks off the field during the 1st half of a game against the Western Michigan Broncos at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
41. Jack Conklin
Jack Conklin is another one of those players under Mark Dantonio who was lightly recruited but yet might be his best offensive lineman. He has started for the past three seasons and looks to be the best offensive tackle prospect from Michigan State since maybe even Tony Mandarich — but with not quite the same amount of hype.
According to the CBS draft scouting report, he is an exciting prospect with a ton of potential:
"Despite being the son of a former Michigan offensive lineman and high school head coach, Conklin went criminally under-recruited, receiving only one scholarship offer, but from Division-II Wayne State. He planned to play the 2012 season at Fork Union Military School until Michigan State head coach Mark Dantonio took another look at Conklin’s tape, inviting him to walk on with the promise that he would go on scholarship in 2013. After redshirting in 2012 in East Lansing, Conklin established himself as the starting left tackle quickly as a redshirt freshman and has been a model of consistency, starting 26 games the past two seasons."
The report also said this about his strengths:
"Conklin is well-built with excellent core strength, using his powerful upper body and center of gravity to be a mauler in the run game. He lines up with a firm anchor and rarely plays in reverse with quick eyes and smarts to pick up extra blockers. Very quick-minded and never takes a play off."
Considered an early-first round pick if he leaves after his junior season this year or even after his senior season next, he’s one of the biggest over-achievers in school history.
Next: 40. Charlie Thornhill
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
Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of footballs on the field prior to a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
39. Ed Smith
During a time when passing the ball wasn’t really considered most important, Michigan State gunslinger Ed Smith really shined. He was about two decades before his time and led a Spartans offense that averaged about 523.1 yards per game in Big Ten play — a mark that stood for 24 years.
Smith led one of the most successful teams since Duffy Daugherty’s squads in the mid-1960s who won a couple of national titles. Smith was 19-12-2 during his three years as Michigan State’s starting quarterback, passing for 5,706 yards and 43 touchdowns.
The Spartans’ 7-1 Big Ten record in 1978 was good enough to tie for first place and give them their first conference crown since the 1966 season.
Although he beat Michigan 24-15 in 1978, he was named the second-team All-Big Ten quarterback behind the Wolverines’ Rick Leach. Smith outperformed Leach earlier in the season and finished the season with 2,226 yards and 20 touchdowns — both good for the best in the conference.
Michigan State’s quarterback from 1976 through 1978 ranks sixth in MSU history in pass attempts (789), completions (418), seventh in yards (5,706) and sixth in touchdowns (43). He will forever be remembered as Michigan State’s first real passing QB.
Next: 38. Carl Banks
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio leads his team onto the field prior to a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
38. Carl Banks
During Carl Banks’ time at Michigan State, the Spartans were absolutely pitiful. In fact, from 1980-83, when Banks starred, the hard-hitting linebacker was on a Michigan State team which finished just 14-29-1 over four years. He was considered one of the most feared defenders of his time, forcing defenders to run away from him most of the time.
Banks was selected to three first-team All-Big Ten teams, a rare feat for skill position players at Michigan State. In fact, he was the first non-kicker at MSU to earn such honors, which is surprising seeing as the Spartans have had some impressive talent and two-time All-Americans such as George Webster and Bubba Smith in the 1960s.
On a lackluster Muddy Waters roster from 1980-82, the Spartans had one shining talent that happened to be an All-American during his senior season in 1983 once George Perles took over. He was one of the best linebackers in Michigan State history and the NFL also had the pleasure of watching him play — the New York Giants selected him No. 3 overall in 1984.
The linebacker was a two-time Super Bowl champion, one time Pro Bowl selection and a member of the 1980s NFL All-Decade Team.
Next: 37. Joe DeLamielleure
37. Joe DeLamielleure
Not only was Joe DeLamielleure one of the greatest offensive linemen in Michigan State football history, but he happened to put together quite the NFL career.
In fact, he was a six-time Pro Bowl selection, a six-time first-team All-Pro selection, NFL 1970s All-Decade Team and current Pro Football Hall of Famer. He really translated his talent, and then some, to the NFL level after getting drafted 26th overall in 1973.
The Detroit-native happens to be one of the best offensive guards to put on a Michigan State uniform and really paved the way for the current stellar line. DeLamielleure was a first-team All-Big Ten guard in 1971 and 1972 and was also named an All-American during his time at MSU.
According to msuspartans.com, DeLamielleure was one of the hardest working players in the game.
"“His work ethic was second to none,” said former MSU offensive line coach (1968-72) Joe Carruthers. “Joe never slacked off in practice. He was the first guy out on the practice field and the last guy to leave it. I’m not so sure Joe didn’t invent the pancake block because the pro scouts said they had never seen anything like that before on film. It appeared that he was super glued to his opponent. Joe wouldn’t quit blocking until he had his man on the ground.”"
Michigan State’s offensive line is currently one of the best in college football and DeLamielleure was decades before his time.
Next: 36. Dan Currie
Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; General view of Michigan State Spartans helmet on field prior to a game against Western Michigan at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
36. Dan Currie
Imagine a guy like Jack Allen playing linebacker on defense and center on offense and earning All-American honors for being one of the best in the nation at both. Dan Currie was that type of playing from 1955-57 and he earned himself a third overall draft pick in 1958 by the Green Bay Packers for his services at the linebacker position.
Currie is now in the Packers Hall of Fame and was a multiple-time All-Pro selection at linebacker.
Back in the time of one-bar face masked helmets, Currie was one of the meanest players on the field and earned the reputations of a hard hitter who didn’t go easy on his opponents. Michigan State defense over the years has been known as gritty and tough to attack and Currie might be the first such player to earn that distinction in school history.
During one of the most successful era in Michigan State football history, and in Duffy Daugherty’s early going, Currie helped lead the Spartans to a 24-4 overall record with a Rose Bowl victory and two top-five finishes. The Spartans finished the season ranked in all three years he was on the team.
The feared Currie was one of the best Packers linebackers in franchise history and it turns out his No. 3 overall pick was deserved.
Next: 35. Larry Bethea
35. Larry Bethea
Although personal issues marred the end of his career and ultimately led him out of the NFL and into the USFL, Larry Bethea should be known for his major contributions to Michigan State football from 1974-77. He was known as a sack artist during his time with the Spartans who found his way into the backfield on a regular basis.
Bethea finished his career as Michigan State’s all-time sack leader with 33, a record that has stood for about 40 years now and he’s also fourth in terms of tackles for loss with 43. It’s rare to see such a mark stand for so long, especially since passing wasn’t exactly a major part of the game until recent years
The big defensive end earned a wealth of awards during his time with the Spartans, such as Big Ten MVP in 1977, first-team All-Big Ten in the same year and second-team All-Big Ten in 1966.
Shilique Calhoun has been approaching his sack record, but he would need to have a mammoth end to the 2015 season for that to happen, so it looks like Bethea’s record of 33 over a career will hold up for at least a few more seasons.
Bethea was drafted 28th overall in 1978 by the Dallas Cowboys, playing six seasons in the NFL before switching over to the USFL. Drug and personality issues may have overshadowed the end of his playing days.
Next: 34. Morten Anderson
34. Morten Andersen
Yes, a kicker. Morten Andersen, originally from Denmark, is one of the greatest kickers to ever lace up the cleats and line up for field goals — both at the collegiate and professional levels. He wasn’t the most accurate, or dominant, kicker of his time at Michigan State, but the former field goal specialist still managed to hit 45-of-72 field goals for 261 points at MSU before heading on to the NFL for a more-than-successful career.
Andersen missed just five field goals in his senior year, going 15-for-20, and he was 126-of-130 on extra points over his collegiate career. The foreign-born player was always respected by his own fans, unlike some kickers we know these days, and he drilled the big ones when needed.
In the NFL, Andersen is the league’s all-time leading scorer. It’s crazy to think that the player who scored the most points in the NFL happened to play for Michigan State, but kickers get more of an opportunity to put up points in games that anyone else. He played in a NFL record 382 games, attempted 709 field goals and made 565 of them. He finished his career with the NFL record for points with 2,544.
Missing just 10 extra points over his extensive career as well as hitting 80 percent of his field goals was an impressive mark that will be hard to match from any kicker for the rest of league history.
Next: 33. Earl Morrall
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; View of the trophy held up by Michigan State Spartans head coach Mark Dantonio after the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Conference football championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Michigan State won 16-13. Mandatory Credit: Thomas J. Russo-USA TODAY Sports
33. Earl Morrall
Quarterbacks weren’t even considered to be a pass-heavy position back when Earl Morrall took the reigns of the Spartan offense from 1953-55. He made passing a thing before passing the ball was even thought of at Michigan State, gaining national attention in his final season in East Lansing in 1955.
During that year, he completed 42-of-68 passes for 948 yards and finished fourth in Heisman voting. Yes, you are reading that correctly, 948 passing yards was good enough to be considered one of the top players in college football and the quarterback was also known for his ability to boot the ball down the field as a punter, averaging 42.9 yards per punt.
Who says quarterbacks during the 1950s couldn’t pass for a ton of yards? Morall finished with a school record 274 yards against Marquette in 1955 — now that kind of stat seems routine.
Morrall is known primarily for that 1955 season in which he passed for nearly 1,000 yards and led the Spartans to their second Rose Bowl victory in three years as the newest members of the Big Ten. He was a backup quarterback in 1953, so the first Rose Bowl wasn’t under his direction, but he was the main reason they beat UCLA 17-14 in 1955.
Michigan State claimed a national title that season behind the All-American quarterback’s play, but finished second in the AP poll behind unbeaten Oklahoma.
Next: 32. Sedrick Irvin
32. Sedrick Irvin
There have been plenty of solid Michigan State running backs over the years, but none get overlooked quite as much as Sedrick Irvin who played from 1996-98 in the Nick Saban era. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in all three collegiate seasons, finishing his career fifth in rushing yards with 3,504.
Although the Spartans had at least six wins in each of his three seasons in East Lansing, Irvin never really got the national attention he deserved as Michigan State only made it to one bowl game during that time and he was considered far too slow to make it at the next level, dropping to the fourth round of the 1999 NFL Draft.
Irvin’s career yards per carry average (4.6) was not necessarily ideal, but the Spartans had benefited from his workhorse-like play as he ranks fifth all time in carries. His 35 rushing touchdowns are also good for fourth in MSU history and he could be one of the more forgotten backs despite being one of the most elusive backs to play for the Spartans.
Leaving after his junior season, Irvin could have broken the school record for rushing attempts, touchdowns and rushing yards had he stayed for his final year. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions in 1999 but played sparingly over a few seasons.
Next: 31. Lynn Chandnois
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans offensive tackle Jack Conklin (74) and Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) and Michigan State Spartans running back Gerald Holmes (24) and Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Brian Allen (65) celebrate a touchdown during the 2nd half of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
31. Lynn Chandnois
Playing back in the 1940s, Lynn Chandnois’ numbers might not seem that impressive, but he has records that have stood the test of time. He was an All-American as both a defensive back and halfback during his time with Michigan State, but even during a time when the pass game wasn’t a major part of offenses, Chandnois racked up interceptions like it was going out of style.
It’s rare to see players excel on both sides of the ball, but Chandnois did just that, especially as a senior in 1949, recording 885 yards on 129 carries as a senior while also intercepting seven passes.
Chandnois was an athlete and it was proven with his defensive play as he showed off running back abilities after picking off passes, leading MSU all time in return yards with 410. Not only did he have success returning the ball a long way after intercepting it, but he also picked off an incredible 20 passes during his four years, ranking first all time.
One of the few members on this list from the pre-Big Ten era, Chandnois’ overall play has to be some of the most impressive at Michigan State. Not many other players can say they excelled on both sides of the ball as he also ranks 17th in MSU history in rushing yards (2,103) and ninth in rushing scores (28).
Next: 30. Jeremy Langford
Jan 1, 2015; Arlington, TX, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jeremy Langford (33) runs with the ball against the Baylor Bears during the first quarter in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
30. Jeremy Langford
Not many players on this list had the type of impact that Jeremy Langford had in such a short period of time. Converting from defensive back to running back from his freshman to sophomore-senior seasons, Langford looked to be just another project for head coach Mark Dantonio.
Replacing Le’Veon Bell as the starter in 2013 as his predecessor left early for the NFL, Langford was hoping to have a couple of decent seasons before graduating. No one knew the kind of impact he was about to have, and it was tremendous.
In just two years, and a couple of carries from a third season, Langford finished his MSU career with 2,967 yards and 40 touchdowns, an incredible mark for Bell’s replacement. He really came out of nowhere to be one of the top-two or three running backs in the Big Ten and even showed off his athleticism at the NFL Combine, posting the best 40-yard dash time of any running back.
Langford was known for putting up 100-yard games in consecutive Big Ten contests as he put together 16 straight such contests in his 17 career conference games. After starting his career with five games under the 100-yard mark, he finished with 18 over the century mark.
The 2013 Rose Bowl champion running back finished eighth all-time in rushing yards (2,967), ninth in rushing attempts (577), 18th in yards per carry (5.14) and second in touchdowns (40). He was drafted in the fourth round by the Chicago Bears in 2015 and is likely to be the starting running back in the 2016 season.
Imagine how high he’d be on all-time lists had he started three or four years for MSU.
Next: 29. Shilique Calhoun
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) gestures to the sidelines during the first half against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
29. Shilique Calhoun
It has been an absolute treat watching Shilique Calhoun perform for Michigan State over the past 3-4 seasons. Calhoun played very sparingly as a redshirt freshman in 2012, but his real breakout year, just like Connor Cook, was the 2013 season in which he was known for his defensive touchdowns — an interceptions return and a couple of fumble returns for scores.
Calhoun was the offense for MSU early in 2013 when it looked like Andrew Maxwell would drive the actual offense into the ground. When Connor Cook took over, the team didn’t need Shilique to do as much, but his 37 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 7.5 sacks and three defensive touchdowns put him on the map as he also helped lead MSU to the Rose Bowl.
Many experts were calling Calhoun a lock to be a top-10 draft pick the following season, but it was considered “disappointing” despite earning first-team All-Big Ten honors for the second straight season after recording 39 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss and 8.0 sacks. It was mostly because of the double-teams by offenses that plateaued his numbers.
Currently in his senior season and attempting to lead the Spartans to their first national title since 1966, Calhoun is having his best year yet with 45 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and 10.5 sacks. He now ranks fourth all-time in tackles for loss (43.5) and second in sacks (27.0).
Next: 28. Flozell Adams
28. Flozell Adams
Flozell Adams happens to be one of the biggest, most intimidating offensive linemen in Michigan State football history and he even made our list of the All-time Michigan State football team as one of just four offensive linemen — and for good reason.
Despite being an absolute giant, standing 6-foot-7 and weighing about 340 pounds, Adams was quick with his feet and was a master of the game. He knew how to read defenders who were blitzing and picked it up with ease, making the transition to the next level that much more seamless.
Adams started three years at Michigan State, two years at right tackle and one year as the prized left tackle. His development was one of the most impressive parts of his time at MSU, going from honorable mention All-Big Ten as a sophomore in 1995 to second-team All-Big Ten in 1966 and then earning All-America honors in 1997 as a senior.
“The Hotel” as he was referred to as by fans and teammates, was one of the most dynamic and dominant offensive linemen in the country, even earning 1997 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year honors.
The Nick Saban product was chosen in the second-round of the 1998 NFL Draft (38th overall) and ended up making five Pro Bowls over his career and starting 194 of the 198 career games he appeared in.
Next: 27. Tico Duckett
27. Tico Duckett
There are just two running backs who have more career rushing yards than Tico Duckett in Michigan State football history. Duckett was the first with the same last name to come through the program and set the standard for his younger brother, T.J., to follow.
Duckett rushed for over 1,000 yards three times in his career, the first Spartan running back to do so, and even had a Big Ten best 1,394 yards as a sophomore in 1990, helping the Spartans earn a share of the conference crown. He finished second in the conference in rushing yards in each of the next two seasons with 1,204 and 1,021 yards, respectively.
Finishing his career as the third all-time leading rusher at MSU, Duckett had 4,212 career rushing yards and also finished third in rushing attempts. He is 11th in career rushing scores, with 26, and he was one of the more exciting skill players to watch in school history, even winning the 1990 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year.
The Spartans’ final two seasons with him at running back were a disappointment as they finished just 3-8 and 5-6 in 1991 and 1992, respectively. The George Perles Era was coming to a close, but Duckett was still one of the lone bright spots during this time.
Next: 26. Blake Ezor
26. Blake Ezor
One of the most vastly underrated players in school history, Blake Ezor doesn’t really get the credit he deserves as one of the top running backs. Before Tico Duckett took the reigns at the position in 1990, Ezor was the starter for the Spartans in 1988-89, leading Michigan State to a 1-1 bowl record and a 14-9-1 overall record.
Right before Ezor was Lorenzo White, making it difficult for the Las Vegas-native to follow in his footsteps — that is a very tough act to follow.
However, Ezor recorded two 1,000-plus yards seasons in his two years as the starter, rushing for 1,496 yards and 11 touchdowns as a junior and 1,299 yards and 19 touchdowns as a senior. His numbers from his 1988 season were good for fifth overall in the NCAA and second in the Big Ten, easing the loss of White.
Not quite the name you would hear when people mention the best running backs who have ever played for Michigan State, Ezor is still No. 4 all-time in career rushing yards and fifth in rushing touchdowns. He was known for being one of the toughest runners out there and he even recorded a school record six touchdowns in the 1989 contest against Northwestern.
Ezor was a workhorse who went undrafted, but played for the Denver Broncos for a season in 1990.
Next: 25. BJ Cunningham
25. BJ Cunningham
You would never know that B.J. Cunningham was Michigan State’s all-time receptions and yards leader unless someone had showed you the list. Despite having an overwhelmingly successful four-year career in the green and white, the receiver has done next to nothing at the next level, appearing on practice squads and getting cut from active rosters.
Quite possibly the most quiet, yet dominant, receiver in Michigan State history, Cunningham put up some solid numbers during his time with the Spartans in 2008-11.
Early in the Mark Dantonio era, it was mostly the Javon Ringer show, but once Brian Hoyer, and eventually Kirk Cousins, gained confidence, players like Cunningham thrived along with as the run game.
During his freshman season in 2008, Cunningham put up decent numbers for a first-year player, catching 41 passes for 528 yards. As a sophomore, he took a minor step forward, catching 48 passes for 641 yards and four scores. His junior season saw only his touchdown number significantly rise — to nine.
Cunningham’s senior year solidified him as one of the best in school history, helping the Spartans reach the first-ever Big Ten Championship Game by catching 79 passes for 1,306 yards and 12 scores. MSU lost that game to Wisconsin, but he helped produce one of the most spectacular plays during the game — basically a hook-and-latter from Keith Nichol for a score.
The receiver ranks first all-time in receptions (218) by a wide margin, first all-time in yard (3,086) and second in touchdown receptions (25).
Next: 24. Max Bullough
Nov 30, 2013; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Max Bullough (40) and Michigan State Spartans defensive tackle Tyler Hoover (91) talk on field during the 2nd half a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 14-3. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
24. Max Bullough
The heart and soul of the defense for three years while he was the starter, Max Bullough was one of those Spartans players who epitomized what it meant to be tough and what it meant to bleed green. Unfortunately, though, the linebacker, a senior at the time, failed to live out his dream of playing in the 2014 Rose Bowl after he was suspended for unspecified reasons.
The grandson of Hank Bullough, son of Chuck Bullough and older brother of Riley and Byron Bullough — all current/former Spartans — Max was the third in the line of family members to attend MSU on a football scholarship.
Max happened to be the most successful of the bunch, so far, and is the only Bullough to make the top 50 list.
During his first season in 2010, Bullough played sparingly and was still named to a few publication’s All-Freshman teams. He finished with 23 total tackles, a half a sack and an interception. His sophomore season was much more impressive as he was a second-team All-Big Ten linebacker with 89 total tackles, seven tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and an interception.
Bullough was named a first-team All-Big Ten linebacker during his junior and senior seasons, combining for 187 total tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 4.0 sacks and two interceptions while leading the Spartans to the Big Ten title game in 2013. He is 18th all-time in career tackles (299) and his younger brothers have some big shoes to fill.
Next: 23. Greg Jones
23. Greg Jones
Who? Greg Jones.
Speaking of all-time great linebackers, Greg Jones had a chance to be one of the highest-chosen draft picks at linebacker in school history. In 2009, he recorded his best season as a Spartan, racking up 154 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss and nine sacks. He was considered a first-round draft option for many teams looking for an inside linebacker, but his senior season was dubbed a disappointment.
Deciding to come back for his final year at MSU was looked at as a mistake by draft experts, and he is now a member of the CFL (Canadian Football League) because of it.
Jones’ time at Michigan State was anything but disappointing, including his senior year. As a freshman in 2007, he recorded 78 total tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss and four sacks as a member of Dantonio’s first recruiting class.
Making the adjustment from outside linebacker to middle linebacker isn’t an easy one, but he made it look routine. During his final three seasons with Michigan State, he recorded 387 total tackles, 38 tackles for loss and 12 sacks. He is one of the most decorated linebackers in MSU history and also one of the more memorable ones.
Nearly every time the tackler’s name was announced after a defensive play during Michigan State games from 2008-2010, Greg Jones’ name seemed to pop up.
Jones ranks third all-time in tackles (465), second in tackles for loss (46.5) and eighth in sacks (16.5) in Michigan State history as well as being named a two-time Consensus All-American. He was selected in the sixth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.
Next: 22. Sherm Lewis
Sep 4, 2015; Kalamazoo, MI, USA; General view of Michigan State Spartans helmet on field prior to a game against Western Michigan at Waldo Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
22. Sherm Lewis
Back during a time when running backs didn’t put up huge numbers and there were only about nine games in a single season, Michigan State halfback Sherm Lewis was dominating the Spartan backfield, and opposing defenses.
Lewis played from 1961-63 and finished with just 1,566 yards and 16 touchdowns over his three-year career, but even though he’s not even on the list of top 20 rushers in school history, he was, at the time, one of the best in college football.
In 1963, Lewis finished the season with 577 yards and four touchdowns, averaging 6.4 yards per carry, while also catching 11 passes for 303 yards and five scores — good for an incredible 27.5 yards per reception. That was the season when the rest of the nation really took notice as he finished third in Heisman voting and was named a first-team All-American.
Although he finished his career with a little under 1,600 yards, he remains the top rusher, in terms of yards per carry, in the Big Ten era at 6.2 per attempt. That’s impressive given the fact that he had such a small amount of carries. Imagine what he could have done with the amount of touches that Lorenzo White had.
Next: 21. Clinton Jones
Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Delton Williams (22) celebrates with a school flag after the Spartans
21. Clinton Jones
Michigan State might as well be known as “Running Back U” for all of the talent that has come and gone at the running back position. Clinton Jones was the running back who followed Sherm Lewis at MSU in 1964 and put up even better numbers in the process, finishing 18th in school history with 1,921 yards on the ground.
This was the period in which the running backs had a bigger role in the offense and he played a more pivotal role with the Spartans’ attack than Lewis did before him.
In his first season in 1964, he rushed for 350 yards and four touchdowns, setting the bar relatively high for an increased workload in the following two years. Jones then rushed for 900 yards and 10 touchdowns in 1965 along with 27 receptions for 314 yards and two scores. During his final season in 1966, Jones had 784 yards and six touchdowns and finished sixth in Heisman voting and was also named an All-American.
Jones was the running back for the 1965 and 1966 national champion Spartans who were the last to win the title in school history. He was picked No. 2 overall in the 1967 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings and played through the 1973 season.
Next: 20. Julian Peterson
20. Julian Peterson
Linebackers are flooding this list, it seems. Michigan State has been known as a typical, hard-nosed defensive school over the years and when Julian Peterson decided to transfer to the program after playing a couple seasons at Valley Forge Military Academy, the Spartans thrived.
Maybe the best transfer player in school history, Peterson only played two seasons in the green and white before getting drafted 16th overall in 2000. Nick Saban lured the talented blitzing linebacker to East Lansing after he racked up 39.5 sacks in two seasons with Valley Forge.
Although he played just 23 career games with Michigan State, he finished his productive two-year stint with 140 tackles, 25 (3rd) sacks and 48 (1st) tackles for loss. He had an uncanny nose for the ball as he could have absolutely demolished all-time school records had he been a Spartan for three or four seasons instead of only two.
Just looking at his overall body type, it was clear that he was an athlete and Michigan State’s defense was scary at the linebacker position as the All-American soared up draft boards during his impressive senior season in which he had 30 tackles for loss and 15 sacks — just unreal numbers.
If Peterson was on the 2013 and 2014 Michigan State defenses, those could have been some of the scariest units in Big Ten history.
Next: 19. Le'Veon Bell
19. Le’Veon Bell
Who didn’t love to watch Le’Veon Bell with the ball in his hands? Mark Dantonio, known for finding diamonds in the rough, really struck gold with Le’Veon, an oversized running back out of high school who was dubbed as too slow and not elusive enough to thrive in the college ranks.
Bell is another one of those players who went from two-star recruit out of high school to NFL star. He’s widely considered one of the top-two or three running backs in the league today and if it weren’t for an injury in the 2015 season, he could he assisting the Pittsburgh Steelers in their attempt to get to the playoffs.
As a true freshman in 2010, not many people even knew the name Le’Veon Bell, but when he started to steal carries from the already established sophomore duo of Edwin Baker and Larry Caper, everyone realized he was legit. He finished his first season with 605 yards and eight touchdowns on 5.7 yards per carry, helping MSU win a share of the Big Ten title.
Bell’s sophomore year was a tad more impressive as he picked up 948 yards and 13 scores. It wasn’t until his junior season that the nation began to realize he was a top talent and a real Heisman threat. However, Michigan State finished with just seven wins, preventing a serious run at the coveted trophy. Bell had 1,793 rushing yards and 13 total touchdowns that year as an All-American.
Drafted by the Steelers in the second round of 2013, Bell has proven to be a huge steal. His 3,346 yards are good for seventh, 33 rushing touchdowns are also seventh and his 671 attempts are sixth all-time in MSU history. Bell also has the second-best single season rushing mark at Michigan State.
Next: 18. Plaxico Burress
18. Plaxico Burress
People love to talk about the negative side of Plaxico Burress whether it’s his intense social media personality — especially following MSU’s controversial loss to Nebraska — or his gun gaffe in which he accidentally shot himself in the leg at a New York night club years back, but he should be known for being one of the greatest wide outs to ever don a Michigan State jersey.
Burress was so aggressive for a receiver that his most famous video from his time at Michigan State might not be a single catch in particular, rather a block against Michigan in which he bullied the defender to the ground and jumped on top of him.
Although he, just like a few other on this list, played just two seasons in East Lansing, he made his mark at the university and will forever be remembered as a legend.
During his first season with MSU, Burress caught 65 passes for 1,013 yards and eight touchdowns from Bill Burke — who narrowly missed this list. In his second year, he broke all of his previous marks with 66 receptions for 1,142 yards and 12 scores, leading the Spartans to a Citrus Bowl win over Florida despite losing head coach Nick Saban to LSU.
Plaxico is 11th all-time in receptions, seventh in receiving yards and fourth in touchdowns. Many guys on this list, like Burress, would have dominated the record books had it not been for early exits from MSU to go on to the NFL — or transfers to MSU midway through their careers.
Burress was selected eighth overall in the 2000 NFL Draft.
Next: 17. TJ Duckett
17. T.J. “Todd” Duckett
Yet another eventual first-round pick to make the list, T.J. “Todd” Duckett is one of the best running backs to commit to Michigan State out of high school. Out of high school, he was rated as a five-star and the top linebacker in the nation, but the Spartans, and head coach Nick Saban, recruiting him to play running back.
Following his older brother Tico’s footsteps at Michigan State wasn’t going to be easy, but T.J. had the skill to be every bit as good as him, and even better.
Duckett played a good amount as a freshman, rushing for 606 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Citrus Bowl champion Spartans. He played the final two years of his career, 2000-01, under Saban’s successor, Bobby Williams.
Most famous for his touchdown catch against Michigan with no time left in the clock at Spartan Stadium in 2001 — from Jeff Smoker who also just missed this top 50 list — Duckett should also be known for his ability to destroy defenders with bruising runs.
In three seasons, Duckett finished with 3,379 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground, good for sixth and eighth place all-time at MSU. He decided to leave before his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, getting chosen in the first round with the 18th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.
Next: 16. Kirk Gibson
Jan 1, 2014; Pasadena, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager and Michigan State Spartans alumnus Kirk Gibson (left) and wife JoAnn Sklarski attend the 100th Rose Bowl. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
16. Kirk Gibson
Known more for his home run in the 1988 World Series when he played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and knocked one out of the park in his only plate appearance during the series to win Game 1. He was hobbled by a pulled hamstring and knee injury which prevented him from playing further, but that might be the most iconic homer in baseball history.
Before that, he was one of the best receivers in Michigan State football history. Gibson had a few successful seasons on the gridiron for Michigan State, but his best came in 1978 when he was named an All-American and caught 42 passes for 806 yards and seven touchdowns.
Twice during his career, in 1976 and 1978, he finished with the most receiving yards in the Big Ten and in 1977 he had the second-most yards per reception in the entire country. He was a hard-nosed, aggressive receiver who was a blocking master and would make the run games of today look phenomenal with his impressive downfield blocking skills.
Gibson is Michigan State’s all-time leader in yards per reception, with 20.96, and he finished his career with 112 catches for 2,347 yards and 24 touchdowns — near the top of the leaderboard in all three categories.
Next: 15. Dan Bass
Nov 21, 2015; Columbus, OH, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback J.T. Barrett (16) runs with the ball as Michigan State Spartans defensive end Shilique Calhoun (89) and Spartans linebacker Chris Frey (23) make the tackle in the first quarter at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
15. Danny Bass
Danny Bass was a tackling machine while with the Spartans from 1976-79, recording a school record 541 career tackles, 68 more than the next closest player on the list (Percy Snow). The linebacker happens to be one of the best in school history and no one mentions his name despite the Spartans having two one-loss Big Ten seasons during his time in East Lansing.
Besides leading Michigan State in tackles all time, Bass has had some incredible single-game and single-play performances.
In a 1979 contest against Ohio State, the then-senior linebacker recorded a historic 32 tackles, a mark that will likely never be touched throughout time. He really set the tone for Michigan State linebackers and his numbers are more than what you would see in a video game on “rookie”.
Another instance of his fantastic all-over-the-field play was a 99-yard interception return against Wisconsin in 1978. He led Michigan State in tackles, obviously, throughout each of his four seasons with the Spartans, an incredible stat.
After Michigan State, he went undrafted, but went on to play 11 seasons in the Canadian Football League and was inducted to the CFL Hall of Fame. He is considered one of the greatest Canadian Football players of all time, as well as one of the greatest Spartan players.
Next: 14. Gene Washington
14. Gene Washington
Gene Washington made being a receiver look cool before the passing game really took off in college football. The three-year receiver for Michigan State is considered one of the greatest in Spartan history because of his deadly combination of size and speed. Rarely were there 6-foot-3, 208-pound receivers back in the 1960s, but Washington was just that.
Playing from 1964-66, he helped the Spartans win two national titles in his final two years with the program. Those teams, as you can tell by this list, were absolutely loaded with talent, and it’s obvious that there deserves to be a separate list ranking the top players, who also happened to be All-Americans, on those teams.
Washington is one of just seven Michigan State football players in the College Football Hall of Fame and is the only pre-1975 wide out on the all-time receiving leaders list, sitting at No. 14 with 1,857 yards and is seventh in touchdown catches with 16.
The wide out really made a name for himself in the “Game of the Century” against Notre Dame in 1966 that ended in the infamous 10-10 tie. He caught nine passes for 123 yards in an otherwise dull offensive contest filled with huge defensive plays — including a Bubba Smith tackle of Notre Dame’s QB, separating his shoulder.
Eventually, Washington was selected with the eighth overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft and was named to two Pro Bowls over his nine-year career.
Next: 13. Percy Snow
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Michigan State Spartans helmet during the 1st quarter of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
13. Percy Snow
You can’t really have an all-time list without a guy like Percy Snow. Although he didn’t break Danny Bass’ all-time tackle record at MSU, Snow is considered one of the greatest linebackers to ever wear the green and white, if not the greatest.
Snow ranks second in MSU history in tackles with 473, but 463 of those came in his final three seasons, the most in that span. That’s really an incredible number if you think about it, averaging about 154 tackles per season. He was a ferocious hitter who made ball carriers think twice before running in his direction.
Helping the Spartans to their first Rose Bowl game since 1965, Snow was named the game’s MVP in 1988 when the Spartans beat USC to take home the crown.
Not only was he a tremendously aggressive tackler with an impressive nose for the ball, Snow was solid in coverage as well, ending his career with six interceptions and four in his final season with MSU in 1989. Michigan State had one of its most successful runs with Snow manning the middle of the field, recording a 23-11-2 overall record with a Rose Bowl win, Big Ten title, Aloha Bowl victory and three straight bowl appearances.
It was hard to put him this low on the list, but the guys ahead of him are just that good.
Next: 12. Brad Van Pelt
Oct 17, 2015; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty during the first half against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
12. Brad Van Pelt
Michigan State has been known for sending defensive backs to the NFL in recent years, but before the Darqueze Dennard, Trae Waynes, Isaiah Lewis and Kurtis Drummond era with the “No Fly Zone”, the Spartans had a guy by the name of Brad Van Pelt who was considered one of the best defensive backs of his time from 1970-72.
Named to the 1971 and 1972 All-American teams, Van Pelt made a name for himself with his unlikely athletic play for a 6-foot-5, 220-pound safety. He was bigger than basically everyone who tried to run routes past him and stronger than most running backs. He was feared by quarterbacks and receivers, alike.
No one wanted to throw in his direction because he was a ball-hawk, intercepting 14 passes during his three-year career and finishing with the second-most interception return yards in school history (268).
Just how good was Van Pelt? Well, he was the first defensive back honored with the Maxwell Award, given to college football’s best overall player. That was quite an honor back then, just as it would be nowadays.
Van Pelt also had a successful NFL career, finishing with five Pro Bowl selections after being drafted in the second round back in 1973. He is also one of very few members in the 20/20 club with 24.5 sacks and 20 career interceptions at the professional level.
Next: 11. Andre Rison
11. Andre Rison
For a short period in June 2015 through November 2015, Michigan State fans were looking forward to the idea of another Rison (Hunter, Andre Rison’s son) joining the program as a receiver and attempting to break some of his dad’s all-time marks. The famous No. 1, Andre, had an incredible career with Michigan State and translated that to the professional level as well.
Nicknamed “Bad Moon”, the legendary receiver is near the top of many categories in school history including fifth in receptions (146), second in yards (2,992), third in yards per catch (20.5) and fourth in touchdowns (20). He will be there for quite some time as all of those numbers have held up for some time.
Rison also played on the 1988 Rose Bowl champion team and had 34 receptions for 785 yards and five touchdowns that season. His best year, though, came in 1986 as a sophomore when he caught 54 passes for 966 yards and five touchdowns. He rounded out his career as a senior with 39 receptions for 961 yards and eight scores.
Michigan State wasn’t exactly a pass-heavy program at the time, so his numbers would have been much more impressive and he would likely still be No. 1 all-time in receiving at MSU if the Spartans gave him more of an opportunity to thrive in the offense.
The Indianapolis Colts selected him No. 22 overall in 1989 and he went on to catch 743 passes for 10,205 yards and 84 touchdowns in the NFL. Quite possibly the most successful Spartan receiver of all time.
Next: 10. Kirk Cousins
10. Kirk Cousins
Watching Kirk Cousins develop over his three years as starter for the Spartans was a joy. He went from battling it out with Oklahoma-transfer Keith Nichol for the starting job to winning it and then excelling as the No. 1 guy. He turned into an All-Big Ten quarterback and until Connor Cook broke out over the past three seasons, he was considered the top quarterback in school history.
Cousins is second in MSU history in pass attempts, first in completions, second in completion percentage, first in yards (for the time being) and second in touchdown passes. He broke a ton of records during his time and started one of the greatest eras of MSU football under Mark Dantonio from 2009-11. He won 11 games in his junior and senior years while recording Mark Dantonio’s first bowl victory in the 2012 Outback Bowl.
The captain was known for his clutch play and his ability to be one of the best leaders to ever put on a Spartan uniform. Oh yeah, and his Hail Mary against Wisconsin with no time left that was reviewed and upheld after it was tipped into the hands of Keith Nichol.
Cousins helped lead the Spartans to the first-ever Big Ten title game that same season against Wisconsin and they lost on a heartbreaking roughing the punter call.
Drafted in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL Draft, he was chosen by the Redskins and he’s now the starter and one of the hottest quarterbacks in the league.
Next: 9. Darqueze Dennard
Dec 7, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Darqueze Dennard (31) breaks up a pass intended for Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Devin Smith (9) during the Big Ten Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports
9. Darqueze Dennard
It was tough not to rank Darqueze Dennard higher on this list, but the top 10 players in Michigan State are arguably all interchangeable up until the top two of three spots. Dennard is considered the best cornerback, or even defensive back, in Michigan State history, getting selected in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft.
Dennard, a former two-star recruit out of high school, exceeded all expectations and went from unknown prospect out of Twiggs County, Georgia, to college superstar who will eventually be a solid starter at the professional level when he’s given the shot with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Part of the greatest period of Michigan State football in school history, Dennard will always be known as the leader of the defense who created the “No Fly Zone” which was the Spartan secondary’s nickname for the better part of two seasons.
Darqueze intercepted three passes in each of his final three seasons at Michigan State while finishing with 165 career tackles and 26 pass deflections.
Known for his physical play and sticky coverage, Dennard was named the top defensive back in the country in 2013 with the Jim Thorpe Award. He was a first-team All-Big Ten selection in 2012 and 2013 and also an All-American as a senior. He helped the Spartans win two Big Ten titles, a Rose Bowl and rack up a 42-12 record during his time.
Next: 8. Don Coleman
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; General view of Spartan Stadium during the 2nd half of a game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Indiana Hoosiers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
8. Don Coleman
Quite possibly the “Rudy” of the 1949-51 Michigan State football teams, Don Coleman was one of the most unique players to ever come through the program. These days, what if I told you a guy who weight under 180 pounds played offensive tackle at the collegiate level and played it better than anyone out there? You probably would have called me crazy.
Sure, Coleman likely would have been forced to play a position other than offensive tackle if he was around today, but the athletic, intense 179-pound machine was a force to be reckoned with despite his slight frame.
Not many guys his size wanted to go up against the bigger football players on the field, but Coleman found it to be his bread and butter. He loved hitting the guys who looked to be about one and a half times his size.
Faster than many backs during the time and more intense than a wealth of offensive and defensive linemen, Coleman was one of the greatest to play the offensive tackle position in school history and might be one of the best during his time. He was Michigan State’s first unanimous All-American as well as the first African American to be named All-American in school history.
Coleman could play with the big boys and even show them up.
Next: 7. Javon Ringer
7. Javon Ringer
Javon Ringer was that running back who everyone would have paid big money to see. Starting his career in East Lansing during the end of the John L. Smith era, Ringer didn’t really break out until Mark Dantonio came to town in 2007 for his final two seasons.
However, as a freshman, he rushed for 817 yards and five touchdowns on 6.7 yards per carry, but his carries were limited the next season as he had just over 400 yards and one score.
When Dantonio got to town in 2007, he gave Ringer the playing time he needed to become an All-American by the 2008 season. As a junior, Ringer finished with 1,447 yards and six touchdowns while catching 35 passes for 295 yards. He really proved himself as one of the greatest running backs in the country and was well on his way to being the second-best in school history.
During his All-American season as a senior, Ringer had 1,637 yards and 22 touchdowns while catching 28 passes for 190 yards. The first-team All-Big Ten selection was one of the strongest backs out there and he was known for working out like crazy.
Despite all of his success at Michigan State, he finished second in career rushing yards with just over 4,300 and fifth in touchdowns with 34.
Next: 6. Tony Mandarich
6. Tony Mandarich
Although Tony Mandarich is considered one of the biggest busts in NFL history after being drafted second overall. He was thought to be one of the biggest talents coming out Michigan State since the 1990s and he was even featured on the cover of Sports Illustrated.
At one point in time, Mandarich was considered the best offensive line prospect ever and then he became the biggest draft bust in recent memory. It’s unfortunate that his disappointing professional career overshadows his successful college tenure.
Mandarich was named the Big Ten lineman of the year in 1988 and was also an All-American the same season, leading to his No. 2 overall pick. Sports Illustrated actually nicknamed Mandarich “The Incredible Hulk” leading up to the 1989 NFL Draft because of his incredible strength and athleticism for his size. In fact, he weighed about 330 pounds, ran a 4.65 40-yard dash and benched 225 an unbelievable 39 times.
The big offensive tackle helped lead the Spartans to the 1988 Rose Bowl victory in which Michigan State took down USC for their first win in the game in about 31 years.
It’s too bad he’s the biggest draft bust, outside of maybe Charles Rogers, in school history because he looked to be one of the greatest linemen to ever come out of East Lansing.
Next: 5. Bubba Smith
5. Bubba Smith
There is still a defensive player left in the top five of this monstrous list that played alongside Bubba Smith on the 1965 and 1966 national champion teams. Imagine two of the school’s top five all-time players on the same defense. No wonder those two seasons saw the best run-stopping squads in school history, giving up under 55 yards per game through those campaigns.
Smith, a two-time All-American defensive end, was one of Duffy Daugherty’s prized players from the national title teams and he went on to be a solid pro, earning a Pro Bowl bid twice in the early 1970s and even winning Super Bowl V. He was the No. 1 overall selection in the 1967 NFL Draft.
Michigan State’s defense was flat-out scary back in the 1960s and Smith was a big reason for that.
Standing 6-foot-7 and weighing about 280 pounds, Smith was a physical freak during his time when college football players were sometimes small, even at the offensive and defensive line positions.
Bubba was just a formidable force for opposing offenses and not many could figure out how to elude the big defender. He was the subject of the phrase “Kill, Bubba, Kill” which fans chanted during games because he was playing like he was hunting for prey.
The former Spartan defensive end won a couple of national titles, was drafted first overall and was enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1988 before becoming a movie star.
Next: 4. Charles Rogers
4. Charles Rogers
On to another NFL bust, Charles Rogers was an absolute freak at Michigan State. Rogers played just two seasons at Michigan State and had he played two, or even one, more, he would have broken basically every record in the Spartan books.
In fact, Rogers caught 135 passes for 2,821 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2001 and 2002 with Jeff Smoker as his quarterback. It was one of the worst times in Michigan State football history in terms of winning games as the Spartans were just 11-13 while Rogers and Smoker were connecting for touchdown after touchdown.
The two earned the distinction of “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Obviously, Smoker was the “smoke” and Rogers was fire.
Rogers actually broke a pretty impressive NCAA record, previously held by Randy Moss. Pretty coincidental that he broke Moss’ record since Rogers was most comparable to that former Marshall wide out and NFL superstar coming into the 2003 NFL Draft.
Finishing his career seventh all-time in receptions, third in receiving yards and first in touchdown catches, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions with the second overall pick. His NFL career was short-lived after he suffered major injuries early on and was never the same.
Next: 3. Connor Cook
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) attempts to throw the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
3. Connor Cook
If Connor Cook finishes his career with a national title and two solid performances in the College Football Playoff’s final games, he could potentially jump into the conversation as the No. 2 or even No. 1 player in Michigan State football history.
However, the senior quarterback is right where he belongs at No. 3 and is playing some great football in his final year. Leading Michigan State to its second Big Ten Championship Game win in three years, Cook is looking to reach even higher and bring home the school’s first national title since 1966.
Redshirting as a freshman in 2011, Cook began the 2012 season as the second, or even third, string quarterback with a lot of ground to make up if he wanted to be the starter. He didn’t see his first real shot until the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against TCU in which he helped the Spartans win the game late and eventually earned the starting job a couple games into 2013.
That turned out to be the best decision Coach Dantonio may have ever made as he has gone 34-4 in three seasons as the starter and is approaching the school’s all-time passing record for yards and is already the leader in passing touchdowns (71).
No one in MSU history has been so dominant in the national spotlight and on big stages than Cook and watching him play is a thing of beauty.
Two wins away from a national title, Cook is considered the best quarterback in school history — despite the media’s negative attention toward his “personality issues” which don’t exist.
Next: 2. Lorenzo White
2. Lorenzo White
We are down to the final two and this one should come as no surprise since Lorenzo White is the best running back in school history. You knew he was bound to be mentioned on the list of the greatest Spartan running backs of all time.
Few Michigan State rushers have come close to passing up White on the all-time list, but he still remains the top dog in terms of Spartan running backs and it’s hard to beat the numbers he put up over his career — along with MSU’s first Rose Bowl win in three decades.
White is first in just about every rushing category in Michigan State history including rushing attempts (1,082), yards (4,887), touchdowns (43), rushing attempts in a season (419), rushing yards in a season (2,066) and rushing yards per game in a season (172.2). He has proven to be one of the most electric backs in school history.
Lorenzo’s best season came in 1985 when he finished with a school record of 2,066 yards on the ground as a sophomore along with 17 touchdowns, finishing fourth in Heisman voting. He finished fourth after his senior season in Heisman balloting as well, racking up over 1,500 yards and 16 touchdowns in 1987 — the Rose Bowl season.
The two-time All-American was chosen No. 22 overall in the 1988 NFL Draft and played seven seasons for the Houston Oilers and one for the Browns.
Next: 1. George Webster
1. George Webster
George Webster is the most legendary Michigan State football player of all time not just because he was part of some of the most successful teams to ever play in East Lansing, but because he could do it all.
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Webster had lined up as a down lineman, linebacker and even safety during his time with the Spartans, proving to be the do-it-all player that led MSU to multiple national titles — in 1965 and 1966 under Duffy Daugherty.
The linebacker/safety hybrid was one of the most feared defensive players in the nation during his time at Michigan State. He was even named to Sports Illustrated‘s all-century team back in 1999 and was named a two-time All-Big Ten defender as well as a two-time All-American.
Not only was Webster a dynamic playmaker on the defensive side of the ball, but his teammates helped him become even better and more feared as the 1965-66 MSU defenses were the two stingiest run-stopping teams in school history, allowing 47 and 51 yards per game on the ground, respectively.
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Webster was the second Spartan in school history to have his number (No. 90) retired by the school and he will likely forever go down as the greatest to ever put on a Michigan State uniform.