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Michigan State Football: 5 upperclassmen who need to step up in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Michigan State 31-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
CHAMPAIGN, IL - NOVEMBER 05: Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball during the game against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on November 5, 2016 in Champaign, Illinois. Illinois defeated Michigan State 31-27. (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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Which five upperclassmen are crucial to Michigan State football’s success in 2017 and need to step up big-time.

Kickoff is officially less than four weeks away as we are approaching the 2017 Michigan State football season. For Spartan fans, the start of the season has been long overdue, given the circumstances of the 2016 season as well as the offseason that followed it up.

Off-field issues, player dismissals and transfers filled the Spartans’ tumultuous and rocky 2017 offseason and fall camp is finally here. However, this season’s camp has a much different feel to it. In fact, there are just a handful of seniors returning for 2017 — literally.

OK, maybe you can count on two hands how many seniors grace the roster, but that’s still only a fraction of what many major programs have. The Spartans will be one of the youngest teams in the country for 2017, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t important upperclassmen on the roster.

Let’s take a look at the five upperclassmen who need to step up in order for the Spartans to be successful in 2017.

Were you disappointed with Demetrius Cooper’s performance in 2016? You’re definitely not alone there. The then-junior defensive end had his fair share of issues both on and off the field and it culminated in an underwhelming season for the Spartans.

Cooper finished with just 23 total tackles, six tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks after being dubbed the ‘next Shilique Calhoun’ by fans. Although he didn’t live up to that ridiculously unfair billing, he did show flashes throughout the year — although they were few and far between.

Right now, he’s earning his way back onto the team after getting into some trouble off the field in 2016 and Mark Dantonio has said that he’s in ‘stage three’ of the four-step process. It looks like he’s getting his life into order after violating terms of a plea deal. Off-field issues aside, he needs to prove he belongs in the starting rotation.

The 6-foot-5, 253-pound end has the talent to be an All-Big Ten performer, but he has to keep his head on straight and become a leader on and off the field. He needs to step up for Michigan State big-time.

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