Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: Predicting depth chart following spring game

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) runs off the field during the 2nd half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) runs off the field during the 2nd half of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
13 of 17
Next
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) looks to the sidelines during the 2nd half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) looks to the sidelines during the 2nd half of a game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 24-21. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

‘Mike’ Linebacker

Projected Starter: Riley Bullough, Senior

The unquestioned leader on the defensive side of the ball has to be senior middle linebacker Riley Bullough, following in his older brother’s (Max) footsteps. This is his second season as full-time starter at linebacker and will be an All-Big Ten candidate before the year is over. He started all 14 games last year, recording a career-high 106 tackles. He also had 7.5 tackles for loss and ranked fourth on the team with 4.0 sacks.

Backup: Shane Jones, Junior

Everyone has kind of been waiting for Shane Jones to break out and become a star on the Michigan State defense, but it hasn’t happened just yet. He was one of the candidates to replace Ed Davis a year ago before Reschke won the job. Will he make a strong push for time at middle linebacker this year and assume the starting role in 2017?

Reserve: Byron Bullough, Sophomore

Thought to be the most athletic of all the Bullough linebacking brothers, Byron is waiting patiently for his turn to run the defense. He played safety and linebacker at the high school level, so you know he has the athletic ability, but he will be battling for time with Jones.

Reserve: Joe Bachie, Freshman

One of the more underrated recruits in the 2016 class, Joe Bachie looks to be a solid future starter at the ‘Mike’ linebacker position. This year, though, he will be redshirting more than likely.

Next: 'Sam' Linebacker

Home/Spartans Football