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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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Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Montae Nicholson (9) gestures to the crowd during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 12, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Montae Nicholson (9) gestures to the crowd during the 2nd half of a game at Spartan Stadium. MSU won 31-28. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

After a strong freshman season which was primarily a special teams-heavy campaign for Montae Nicholson, the expectations were sky-high heading into a sophomore year. The coaches talked about how Montae could play both ways and he might be the most athletic guy in the entire team.

It’s tough to live up to expectations like that when you’re a young collegiate player who was also highly-touted out of high school. People assume you’re just going to take the conference by storm, but when you struggle, they’re quick to turn their backs.

That was the exact case for the sophomore safety from Pennsylvania.

In fact, Nicholson struggled through the first half of the year, even finding himself on the bench to start the Michigan game in lieu of two freshman safeties. He had very little confidence after the early-season struggles and the coaching staff noticed it.

Nicholson was getting burned deep on a regular basis and missing tackles left and right. Unfortunately, many turned their backs on the talented sophomore, but that won’t be the case after he proves to be a stud to begin his junior year.

A turnaround was evident in the second half of the year and he finished with 83 tackles, two tackles for loss, two pass deflections and three interceptions. Another year in the system could make a star out of Montae.

Next: 5. Vayante Copeland

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