Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from 2017 season

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SAN DIEGO, CA – DECEMBER 28: Joe Bachie #35 of the Michigan State Spartans motions a first down after Michigan State Spartans recover a fumble by the Washington State Cougars during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /

4. Joe Bachie is a future All-American linebacker

Is this a bold statement? Probably, but there’s not a single player on Michigan State who has surpassed expectations quicker and more profoundly than Joe Bachie. The sophomore linebacker from Ohio has played well enough this year to be considered for first-team All-Big Ten honors, but he was snubbed and pushed to third-team.

Trying not be a victim of recency bias is difficult, and I’d like to think that this is not just that, but Bachie has the potential to be the best middle linebacker of the Mark Dantonio era. This includes Max Bullough, Greg Jones and Riley Bullough.

Bachie had a strong finish to his freshman season in 2016, recording 11 tackles and two for loss, but he absolutely broke out in 2017 for 100 tackles, 7.5 for loss, 2.5 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. He looked like an All-American this season and didn’t make many mistakes in the middle of that defense.

On top of that, he was voted the team’s MVP. No, not just the defensive MVP, but the entire team’s most valuable player as a sophomore. “All-American linebacker” is in the future for Bachie.

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