Michigan State football: Joe Bachie listed as rookie who could ‘surprise’

Although his career with Michigan State football didn’t end the way he had hoped, Joe Bachie is getting a shot with the Saints and he might surprise.

As the old cliche goes, it’s not how you start, it’s how you finish. And if that’s truly the case, Joe Bachie faced a nightmare scenario after two straight stellar seasons as a sophomore and junior, closing out his senior year with a suspension for the use of a banned substance.

Bachie played in eight games during his senior season, accounting for 72 total tackles and career-highs in sacks (3.5) and tackles for loss (9.5). He was on his way to becoming an early-round NFL draft pick, but getting suspended by the league for an avoidable reason really turned scouts off and he went undrafted.

It’s hard to believe that a couple of years ago, there was talk that he was one of the top five linebackers in college football. Heck, that was even the case heading into 2019, but he messed up and paid the price.

The Saints picked him up as an undrafted free agent after a stellar MSU career in which he racked up 285 total tackles, 28 tackles for loss, seven sacks, 11 pass deflections, five interceptions and four forced fumbles.

Bachie’s production in East Lansing and constant high grades from each game on the defensive side of the ball ensured he wasn’t a forgotten prospect following the draft. Even Pro Football Focus is still high on him despite the fact that he’s not guaranteed to make the Saints’ roster.

Anthony Treash of PFF listed Bachie as one of his 10 rookies who could surprise in 2020 and this is what he had to say:

"(Zack) Baun is expected to start for New Orleans, but there is another rookie who could see the field at the position for the Saints, as UDFA Joe Bachie looks poised to secure a roster spot and compete for playing time in 2020.New Orleans picking up Bachie was one of our favorite undrafted free-agent acquisitions this year. Our concerns with him really stemmed from his athleticism, but he outperformed at the combine to void those concerns. The 6-foot-2, 238-pound linebacker stuffed the run routinely at Michigan State, producing run-defense grades above 90.0 in both 2017 and 2018, and that skill should translate to the NFL. And while he’s a little limited in coverage, he’s certainly not a liability there, given that he earned 70.0-plus grades in that facet in each of his last three seasons."

You just love to hear it.

Bachie was a fan favorite during his time in East Lansing and although his exit was tarnished, he will be remembered as one of the best linebackers Mark Dantonio ever had.

We may soon see him breaking out on Sundays with the Saints as he pushes for one of the final roster spots.