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Michigan State Football: 5 players who could surprise in 2018

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans leads the team onto the field prior to the start of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 8: Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty waits to take the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on November 8, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 8: Michigan State Spartans mascot Sparty waits to take the field before the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on November 8, 2014 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

A one-time Purdue commit, CJ Hayes was considered one of the Boilermakers’ top commits in the 2017 class, but decided to flip his pledge to the green and white after a late offer. As you could imagine, Purdue fans were devastated by the loss of the three-star recruit, and it wasn’t because they felt inferior to MSU, but rather because they knew Hayes was a diamond in the rough.

The redshirt freshman made that tough decision to flip and play for one of the schools he always admired, but he knew the depth chart would be packed with talent at the position.

Good things come to those who wait, though. He redshirted in 2017 and before he could even step foot on the field for live action for the first time, two wide outs have transferred. Trishton Jackson and Hunter Rison have opened the door for Hayes and he’s sure to walk through and take advantage of the situation.

Hayes has a strong, 6-foot-3, 206-pound frame and has sticky hands as well. He runs crisp routes and is a workaholic, not afraid to fight for snaps.

Michigan State has three solid wide outs who return as starters, but the depth will be eye-opening with Hayes, and maybe one other reserve.

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