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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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DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 12: An extra point attempt goes through the goal posts during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on November 12, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Knights 49-0. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI – NOVEMBER 12: An extra point attempt goes through the goal posts during a college football game between the Michigan State Spartans and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights at Spartan Stadium on November 12, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Knights 49-0. (Photo by Dave Reginek/Getty Images) /

Dennis Finley has had a rough career at Michigan State. The former four-star offensive tackle from Detroit Cass Tech has gone from sure-fire star to injury-riddled backup.

After redshirting in 2013, he played in six games during the 2014 Cotton Bowl season. He didn’t get many snaps, his single-game high was 29, but he showed promise, earning his first letter. His sophomore year was supposed to be a stepping stone to a strong final three years of his Spartan career.

However, it was cut short due to a broken tibia in his first career start against Purdue, filling in for an injured Jack Conklin. That caused him to only play in two games all season, missing Michigan State’s run to the College Football Playoff and halting any momentum he had on the depth chart.

Unfortunately, the 2016 season was his roughest yet. Although his injury came in 2015, he never seemed to regain necessary confidence in 2016 and appeared in just one game. He enters the 2017 season looking to earn some playing time and finish his career off right.

Everyone expected him to be a major contributor in the trenches at one point, and the talent is definitely there, but can he get that confidence and swagger back? Heck, even moving over to guard could help him in that regard.

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