Michigan State Football: Top 10 All-Big Ten candidates for 2018

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 04: Juwan Johnson #84 of the Penn State Nittany Lions can't make a second half catch next to Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 4, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 27-24.(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 18: Lorenzo Harrison III #2 of the Maryland Terrapins scores a second half touchdown past the tackle of Kenny Willekes #48 of the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium on November 18, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Potentially the biggest breakout star for Michigan State in 2017 was Kenny Willekes. The former walk-on defensive end cracked the starting lineup and didn’t disappoint.

Mirroring the breakout of former walk-on Jack Conklin, but on the defensive side of the ball, Willekes became one of the top defensive linemen in the conference. Time will tell if he has an NFL future like Conklin, but both had rises to stardom which surprised just about everyone but the coaching staff and teammates.

Built like a linebacker with a slim 6-4, 250-pound frame, Willekes made life miserable for opponents in 2017. He was quick off the snap and his strength for his size was impressive. He was named third-team All-Big Ten after recording 73 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and a team-high seven sacks to go along with a forced fumble.

Michigan State needed a start at the defensive end position after a quiet 2016 season and many believed it would be Demetrius Cooper who stepped up, but Willekes was a star in his first season on scholarship.

Mark Dantonio continues to develop lightly-recruited players into All-Big Ten threats.

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