Michigan State Football: 5 players who could surprise in 2018

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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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Khari Willis #27 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) /

With Chris Frey gone, there’s an open spot in the middle of the defense up for grabs. Some believed Antjuan Simmons would grab hold of the reins but it now looks like veteran outside linebacker Tyriq Thompson is the favorite.

Thompson has been putting in serious work this offseason and he’s coming off a 2017 campaign which saw him appear in 12 games, earning his second letter as a then-redshirt sophomore. He finished with a career-best 11 tackles to go along with his first half-tackle for loss.

Although his prediction through two years has been minimal, the Detroit-native has worked hard for this moment. He knew that eventually the depth chart at linebacker would thin out a bit and provide him an opportunity to see the field extensively, and it just so happened that it’s taking place in his junior year.

Sure, he probably expected to see the field more through his first two seasons after redshirting, but the Spartans have had some strong players come through at the position such as Frey and Ed Davis.

With the starting job almost firmly in his grasp, he can show what he’s capable of and potentially become a surprise All-Big Ten contributor on a loaded defense.

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