Michigan State Football: 5 breakout candidates to watch in 2018 spring game

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 18: Lorenzo Harrison III #2 of the Maryland Terrapins is tackled by Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans during a first half run at Spartan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 18: Lorenzo Harrison III #2 of the Maryland Terrapins is tackled by Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans during a first half run at Spartan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 18: Lorenzo Harrison III #2 of the Maryland Terrapins is tackled by Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans during a first half run at Spartan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 18: Lorenzo Harrison III #2 of the Maryland Terrapins is tackled by Antjuan Simmons #34 of the Michigan State Spartans during a first half run at Spartan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

When Antjuan Simmons committed to Ohio State a couple of years ago, Michigan State coaches knew they missed out on a future star. That’s what made his de-commitment from the Buckeyes that much sweeter.

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The coaching staff jumped on the opportunity to get back into his recruitment and they were able to reel him to the green and white. The four-star linebacker was one of the best prospects in the state of Michigan and when he finally committed to the Spartans, you could feel a sense of relief exuded from East Lansing.

Simmons, a 6-foot-0, 217-pound linebacker from Ann Arbor, has been pushing for starting snaps and there was a sense that he could be the favorite to replace Chris Frey in 2018, although Tyriq Thompson and Brandon Randle currently lead for that, but he’s still going to see plenty of action.

The soon-to-be sophomore was a special teams star in 2017 and that’s usually a good indication of the type of player he’s going to be. If you don’t recall, Frey was a special teams star before earning a starting linebacker job.

If Simmons doesn’t start right away, don’t be worried. This kid will be a starting SAM or STAR linebacker within the next two years for the Spartans.