Michigan State Football: Joe Bachie leaps to top of depth chart

Michigan State football’s 2017 spring game solidified one thing about the depth chart — Joe Bachie is the top Mike linebacker.

After a strong spring, Michigan State football has named a new middle linebacker. Gone is Riley Bullough after a somewhat underwhelming season, but now soon-to-be sophomore Joe Bachie has taken the reigns of the defense.

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For Michigan State, the 2016 season was one of the most forgettable in the past few decades but young young guys on the roster got a chance to get some valuable experience. Although his redshirt was burned, Bachie is showing that he’s going to be tough to beat out for the starting job in 2017.

Mark Dantonio doesn’t often name starters this early in the process, but after watching Bachie’s performance in the spring game, it’s become clearer to the head coach. Naming him the starter as a sophomore could mean that he will be a three-year starter and a reliable leader on defense.

Michigan State was lacking leaders in 2016 and that was a major reason for the demise. The team was directionless, but now that the young guys are assuming larger roles, only good can come from it.

In case you forgot, Bachie was one of the lower-rated recruits in the 2016 class, but he’s done enough to climb the ranks and make the top of the depth chart before his sophomore season. Could he have a better season in 2017 than his predecessor did as a senior?

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