Michigan State Football: 3 breakout candidates on defense for 2020

There’s been plenty of talk about Chase Kline this offseason, and deservedly so. There’s a need at linebacker for Michigan State and he fits the bill, and then some.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker from Ohio also came to Michigan State with the 2018 class and there were high hopes for him right away. He was expected to push for snaps in year one but the linebacking unit was pretty loaded and he ended up redshirting. He played in all 13 games in 2019, recording 12 tackles and a sack and nine of those came on special teams.

A lot of great MSU players get their start as special teams stars and I think Kline is going to be the next to do so — of people not named Dom Long.

Now that he’s entering his third season, he’s familiar with the defense and having some of the same faces back on the coaching staff will help. He’s got a leg up in the linebacker competition but he just needs to show consistency.

This is the year we see Kline mold into a star.