Michigan State Football: 3 way-too-early breakout candidates for 2022

Michigan State football had a successful 2021 season thanks to some breakout stars, but who could assume those roles in 2022?

With the 2021 season officially in the books and the long offseason staring us right in the face, Michigan State football has some big names to replace.

Kenneth Walker III, Jalen Nailor, and Jacub Panasiuk are all gone and Michigan State will have to try and make up for the departing production. Those three guys all broke out this year and had big finishes to their Spartan careers, helping lead the team to an 11-2 record and Peach Bowl win.

Michigan State will need a new batch of players stepping up in order to push for another 10-win campaign in 2022 and a New Year’s Six bowl berth.

Who could break out this season for Michigan State?

Transferring over from Minnesota before last season, Itayvion “Tank” Brown looked like he was going to be an immediate impact type of guy. The defense was retooling and he had the potential to be a fixture of the middle of the defense but he suffered injuries that kept him from the field.

Brown played in just a couple of games this season and finished with four total tackles, but he’s capable of much more when he’s fully healthy.

With an entire offseason to get healthy and adjust to his linebacker role after flip-flopping between that and edge rusher this past season, Brown should be a serious threat to have a big year and become a household name. He could help get Michigan State’s defense back to the top of the Big Ten for the first time in a few years.

I’ve been big on Brown since he committed to Michigan State and if it hadn’t been for injury issues, I think he could have broken out in 2021 but I’m fine with waiting until 2022.