Michigan State Football: 3 early breakout candidates for 2021 season

The linebacker position will need to be addressed before the start of the season, and Chase Kline is the perfect candidate to replace NFL-bound Antjuan Simmons.

Replacing Simmons’ production is easier said than done, but if anyone can do it, it’s Chase Kline. The redshirt junior plays with a relentless motor, flying all over the field and making tackles when he gets the opportunity.

Kline played in all seven games last season, recording 29 total tackles and a half a tackle for loss. He also recorded two forced fumbles against Rutgers and Ohio State. He finished the Northwestern game with eight tackles in the upset win.

The 6-foot-4, 235-pound linebacker should get his shot to start this season, being the most experienced linebacker on the team outside of Noah Harvey. It’s a thin position on the roster, but Mel Tucker and Scottie Hazleton are still not done in the transfer portal. Whether or not they dip into it for another linebacker, Kline will get his opportunity to play a lot of snaps, and he’ll make the most out of it.