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Michigan State Football: 10 potential 2017 NFL Draft picks

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) prepares for the snap of the ball during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) prepares for the snap of the ball during the 1st quarter of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Riley Bullough sat back and watched as his brother, Max, and former All-Big Ten middle linebacker went unselected in the 2014 NFL Draft. It had to be tough for Riley as he looked up to his brother as a role model and someone who was nearly a lock to be picked in the NFL Draft, but he did end up catching on the the Houston Texans, earning the nickname ‘the computer.’

The second of three Bulloughs, Byron is the youngest to attend MSU, has the potential to do something his brother could not: work himself into a draft selection.

Heading into his second full season as a the starting Mike linebacker, Riley is coming off the best season that a linebacker has had since his brother was on campus in 2013. He racked up a career-best 106 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles and two passes defended. He did it all.

Besides filling the stat sheet, he also became a leader on and off the field. His teammates listened to him as Bullough proved to be the guy on defense directing the traffic — you could argue Shilique Calhoun was also the leader of the defense.

At 6-foot-2, 230 pounds and athletic for his size, Bullough has shown flashes of his brother and might even be slightly more NFL-ready. He could be a fourth or fifth-rounder based on his production on the field and tremendous attitude.

Next: 3. Josiah Price

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