Michigan State Football: Top 5 captain candidates for 2018 season

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – OCTOBER 14: Nate Wozniak #80 of the Minnesota Golden Gophers tackles Khari Willis #27 of the Michigan State Spartans after an interception as head coach P.J. Fleck of the Minnesota Golden Gophers looks on during the second quarter of the game on October 14, 2017 at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

Khari Willis is one of three players who are almost considered shoo-ins for captain roles. He’s a vocal leader, which is something that usually sets these guys apart.

If you look over the years of Michigan State captains, those chosen are usually the most outspoken — Max Bullough, Riley Bullough Kirk Cousins. Willis is a role model and a player who Mark Dantonio has to be proud to call his own. He’s done nothing but good things for the Spartans during his time in East Lansing and helped turn the team around in 2017.

The senior safety is the clear leader in the defensive backfield and he formed quite the safety duo with David Dowell last season. The two helped resurrect the ‘No Fly Zone’ and it could get back to 2013 form during the 2018 campaign.

Willis was fourth on the team in tackles with 71 and third on the team in interceptions with two. He also had four passes defended and was one of the best tacklers in the defensive backfield last season.

The fourth-year player is as solid as they come both on and off the field.

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