Michigan State Football: 3 upperclassmen who need to step up in 2022

With spring practices in the books, Michigan State football heads into the 2022 season with high expectations regarding some upperclassmen.

After losing some key players at important positions, Michigan State football has some question marks heading into the 2022 season.

Will the secondary improve with essentially everyone returning? Will the run game take a huge hit with the departure of Kenneth Walker III? Would Payton Thorne have time to throw behind this offensive line? Will Jayden Reed have enough help in the receiving corps? Will the defense finally live up to its potential?

All of those questions will be answered early on in the 2022 season, but there are a number of guys who need to step up in order for Michigan State to replicate its success from 2021.

These three upperclassmen need to step up and live up to their potential in 2022 if Michigan State is going to have a chance to win the Big Ten.

Hopes for Ronald Williams success were at an all-time high before the 2021 season after transferring in from Alabama, but he had an up-and-down year. He did finish strong and really gained some momentum at the end of the season, but will it be enough to earn a starting job in 2022?

Michigan State had one of the worst secondaries in college football last season and Williams wasn’t immune to criticism. He had some rough games but the potential was there.

He finished the season with 38 tackles, two tackles for loss, a sack, a pick, and eight pass breakups. That’s not too bad for a transfer in his first season with a new program, but he needs to step up and play like he did at the end of last year if Michigan State’s defense is going to improve.

The secondary desperately needs a boost and a confident Williams will help matters. Harlon Barnett is going to rely heavily upon the senior next season.