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Michigan State Football: Projected post-2018 spring game depth chart

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a short gain as Jourdan Lewis #26 of the Michigan Wolverines makes the stop during the fourth quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a short gain as Jourdan Lewis #26 of the Michigan Wolverines makes the stop during the fourth quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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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)
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) /

Linebackers

Starting Mike linebacker: Joe Bachie
Backup: Byron Bullough

Is this a surprise? Absolutely not. However, Joe Bachie didn’t play during the spring game, leaving fans wanting more. He was one of the more exciting players to keep an eye on during the spring game but just because he didn’t dress doesn’t mean fans should worry but rather feel good that he’s sitting for precautionary reasons. He could be one of the top linebackers in college football this season.

Byron Bullough was always expected to get starting time at linebacker in his Michigan State career, but Bachie’s emergence halted that notion. He could still see the field often in 2018, but unless Bachie gets hurt, he won’t have a major impact.

Starting Sam linebacker: Brandon Randle
Backup: Tyriq Thompson

There were flashes of brilliance from Brandon Randle and he found his way into the backfield a number of times for tackles and pressures. He could be a strong replacement for Chris Frey, but he will be pushed by junior Tyriq Thompson. The two will be duking it out all summer for the starting job and could split time at the position. I see Randle holding a slight lead.

Starting Star linebacker: Andrew Dowell
Backup: Antjuan Simmons

Andrew Dowell didn’t dress during this year’s spring game and Antjuan Simmons was a little nicked up. That doesn’t mean the soon-to-be senior and his sophomore backup won’t be ready come fall.

Dowell was second on the team in tackles with 75 last season and he added three for loss and a sack while Simmons played sparingly, burning his redshirt. He finished with 33 tackles and was a favorite to replace Frey at Sam, but is looking more like an inevitable replacement for Dowell at Star. The potential is there for the sophomore from Ann Arbor.

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