Michigan State Football: Ranking the position groups heading into 2020

3. Linebackers

The linebacking unit took a huge hit over the past couple of days with the news that Luke Fulton and Charles Willekes were involved in an altercation at a frat house in September and were charged with aggravated assault. This ended up getting them suspended indefinitely and that’s a major blow because I expected Fulton to have a big role in 2020.

Down two guys already, I still feel as if this unit has plenty of potential and it’s led by one of the best linebackers in the conference in Antjuan Simmons.

After being a backup for two seasons, Simmons finally got his shot in 2019 and didn’t disappoint, leading the Spartans with 90 tackles and he also had 15 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. That breakout season will lead to yet another big year in 2020 as he’s the leader of the defense as a senior and should improve that draft stock.

Who will start at the other two spots, including middle linebacker? Noah Harvey seems like a good option as he’s put on some weight and is more comfortable at the position and we should see plenty of Chase Kline this year. He’s another guy, like Fulton, who I expected to break out.

Jeslord Boateng could push for a starting spot as an up-and-coming star and there’s depth behind these guys with Devin Hightower, Cal Haladay and Marcel Lewis as young guns.

This ranking is based more on the fact that I believe Willekes and Fulton will rejoin the team at some point.