Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: Chris Frey snubbed from Butkus Award watch list

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Jake Butt #88 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to get around the tackle of Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans after a third quarter catch at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Jake Butt #88 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to get around the tackle of Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans after a third quarter catch at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Michigan State football’s Chris Frey was snubbed from the 2017 Butkus Award preseason watch list.

Chris Frey is an animal. He’s been one of the most consistent players for Michigan State football in the past two years and he’s likely going to be one of the team’s three captains this fall.

Must Read: MSU Football: 5 reasons LJ Scott will be the best RB in Big Ten

The senior linebacker plays with no regard for human life and he’s not afraid to punish ball-carriers for crossing his path. Heck, he’s likely going to be an All-Big Ten linebacker before the season is over and his 2016 performance was one of the team’s few bright spots.

However, the Butkus Award watch list was released earlier this week, and there was a glaring omission. Frey’s name was not listed among the dozens of linebackers who could take home the award, which was a travesty.

The former three-star recruit from Ohio had a career season in 2016, recording 96 total tackles, four for loss and 0.5 sacks. He looked the part of an all-conference linebacker, but still doesn’t get the respect he truly deserves. How can someone who approached the 100-tackle mark without even beginning the year as a starter get left off the list?

College football will surely be on notice this season as Frey is ready to lead the Spartans back to national relevancy. It’s been a rough offseason, but he’s vowed to help turn things around before he departs East Lansing.

Related Story: MSU Recruiting: 5 bold predictions for July

By the end of the season, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t listed among one of the nation’s top linebackers.

Home/Spartans Football