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Michigan State Football: 5 second-year players who’ll break out in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 15: Justin Layne #39 of the Michigan State Spartans returns an interception for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 15, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 15: Justin Layne #39 of the Michigan State Spartans returns an interception for a touchdown against the Northwestern Wildcats during the first half at Spartan Stadium on October 15, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leads his team onto the field before a college football game against the against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on November 12, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 12: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans leads his team onto the field before a college football game against the against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on November 12, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Was anybody really surprised when Trishton Jackson burst onto the scene in the spring game? There were some in shock of what the sophomore wide out could bring to the table, but he flashed his athleticism during the latter half of his freshman season.

Must Read: MSU Football: All-time Mark Dantonio team

The only surprise, in my mind, was that it took so long for him to break out. When he came in as a freshman, I thought he would crack the receiver rotation right away, but the guys ahead of him didn’t leave much room for true freshmen to play.

With Donnie Corley also kicked off the team, the receiving corps will be headed by Jackson. He had an insane spring game in which he looked to be Brian Lewerke’s favorite target and he caught nearly everything thrown his way. He had the look of a No. 1 receiver and could very well take over in his second season as the team’s top target.

It’s crazy to think Jackson was a quarterback at the high school level and playing receiver at Michigan State in 2016 was new to him, but he showed why he was an electric dual-threat, weaving in and out of defenders at the end of the 2016 season and in the spring game. He caught five passes for 89 yards and a touchdown in 2016 and eight passes for 168 yards in the scrimmage.

Next: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for July

Watch for this kid to be the breakout star on the offensive side of the ball as the Spartans continue to look for a No. 1 receiver.

Honorable Mention: Messiah deWeaver, Cam Chambers, Naquan Jones, Brandon Randle

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