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Michigan State Football: 7 players who’ll earn 1st-team All-Big Ten honors

By Connor Muldowney

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) celebrates fumble recovery against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) celebrates fumble recovery against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) celebrates fumble recovery against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans defensive lineman Malik McDowell (4) celebrates fumble recovery against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

With the 2016 season approaching, which seven Michigan State Football players have the best chance to make First-Team All-Big Ten.

Just over two weeks remain until the college football season begins. Michigan State Football is looking to break every expectation placed upon it leading into the 2016 campaign. Mark Dantonio believes he has enough talent on his team to produce back-to-back Big Ten titles, even making ‘Back2Back’ the mantra for 2016.

Plenty of talent has departed from the 2015 playoff team including all-time leading passer Connor Cook, Big Ten Receiver of the Year Aaron Burbridge, All-American Shilique Calhoun and No. 8 NFL Draft pick Jack Conklin.

Just because those All-Big Ten caliber performers are gone, doesn’t mean the Spartans don’t have enough talent to replace them. In fact, Michigan State has a cornucopia of returning talent that another Big Ten title isn’t that far-fetched of an idea.

Let’s take a look at the seven Michigan State Football players who have the best chance to make first-team All-Big Ten in 2016.

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) makes a catch against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Grant Haley (15) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans tight end Josiah Price (82) makes a catch against Penn State Nittany Lions cornerback Grant Haley (15) during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Josiah Price burst onto the scene as a redshirt freshman during Michigan State’s 2013 Rose Bowl season, recording 17 catches for 210 yards and four touchdowns. No one really saw that breakout season coming, but he quickly moved into a prominent role at tight end.

The next season, he improved even more, catching 26 passes for 374 yards and six touchdowns, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors and looking like a lock to be the first-teamer in 2015 as a junior. However, he took a step back due to nagging injuries and inconsistencies in the blocking game.

Price caught 23 passes for 267 yards and six touchdowns, earning third-team All-Big Ten honors and failing to live up to even his own expectations.

Now that those seasons are behind him and he will likely be the No. 1 tight end with Jamal Lyles potentially stealing some catches, Price could prove to be the best tight end in the Big Ten — or at least come close to Michigan’s Jake Butt.

A big season with 30-plus catches for 500-plus yards and six touchdowns could lead to first-team honors in 2016.

Next: 6. Montae Nicholson

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