Michigan State Football: Should we be surprised with rise of Blake Bueter?

Blake Bueter entered the 2018 season as a walk-on, but Michigan State football quickly saw potential and offered him a scholarship.

Jack Conklin, Kenny Willekes, Kyler Elsworth, Cole Chewins. Those are just four of the most prominent, and recent, names that have gone from walk-ons to full-rides to starters for Michigan State in crucial situations.

Sophomore Blake Bueter from Detroit (Mich.) Catholic Central is next.

Entering the 2018 season as a walk-on, Bueter was just fighting for a chance to add depth to the offensive line and he probably never imagined having the type of impact that he did. He played well enough to earn a scholarship and the Howell, Mich., native even started in seven games while appearing in all 13.

Who saw this coming when the season began? Probably no one, not even Blake himself.

But at Michigan State, that’s the norm. Mark Dantonio has been able to locate diamonds in the rough even when they join the program as walk-ons. He can fill in at either center or guard with his 6-4, 315-pound frame and he did a heck of a job doing just that for the Spartans.

If Tyler Higby struggled, Bueter was there to take the reps. If Matt Allen struggled, was injured or needed a breather, it was Bueter who filled in. The versatility he brought to the table as well as his consistency on the offensive line was a pleasant surprise, but the fact that he went from walk-on to starter shouldn’t surprise anyone given Dantonio’s track record.

While Bueter may not be the next Conklin or even Chewins, he’s become a valuable depth piece on the offensive line and he’s only going to help MSU for the next few years.