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Michigan State Football: 5 under-the-radar players who will surprise in 2019

By Connor Muldowney

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans watches warm ups before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - DECEMBER 05: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans watches warm ups before the game against the Iowa Hawkeyes in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 5, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during warm ups to the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans reacts during warm ups to the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

The spring game was Zach Slade’s coming out party. He may not have been the most highly-recruited guy in Michigan State’s 2018 class, but he definitely out-performed his ranking during the spring of 2019.

As a redshirt freshman, Slade didn’t see any action during the 2018 season, which was disappointing since his brother was inserted into the first game of the season versus Utah State because of the Aggies’ high-powered, hurry-up offense. He was needed at defensive tackle to be a holdover for guys who needed rest.

While Jacob Slade has the game experience, Zach might have the upper hand when it comes to seeing the field extensively in 2019. He was one of the few standouts during the spring game, even picking off a pass.

The defensive end position is important for Michigan State this season because it needs to mold replacements for Kenny Willekes. Who will take over for the senior end when he graduates? Jacub Panasiuk has already locked down the other side, but Willekes’ backup isn’t quite set in stone.

Not many people know about Slade but that will all change if he continues his upward climb on the depth chart and continues to surprise people.

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