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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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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Running back Jonathan Hilliman #23 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is tackled by defensive tackle Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans and linebacker Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Running back Jonathan Hilliman #23 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights is tackled by defensive tackle Raequan Williams #99 of the Michigan State Spartans and linebacker Tyriq Thompson #17 of the Michigan State Spartans during the second half at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

One player earning rave reviews in fall camp who may not have been on anyone’s radar heading into the offseason is former three-star linebacker Jeslord Boateng.

Boateng is a former track star and explosive athlete who could play sideline-to-sideline as well as any linebacker on the team.

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Unfortunately, fans didn’t get to see much of him this spring because he was injured during the Green & White Game which was after the staff had been high on him. Now, Mark Dantonio is listing him as the backup to Antjuan Simmons at the Star linebacker spot. He has gone from unknown as a redshirt freshman in 2018 to backup linebacker with a chance to see the field extensively.

With his 6-1, 228-pound frame and his freak athleticism, he could be the next breakout star in the linebacking corps and he could even help replace Tyriq Thompson when he graduates after the season so he and Simmons could both start in 2020.

The future is bright with Boateng at linebacker and I think we’ll get a glimpse of that in 2019.

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