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Big Ten Football: Each team’s most important newcomer for 2020

By Dante Pryor

Michael Dwumfour, Michigan football (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images)
Michael Dwumfour, Michigan football (Photo by Michael Hickey/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 3: A Michigan State Spartans player holds his helmet in the air before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on October 3, 2015, in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Boilermakers 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 3: A Michigan State Spartans player holds his helmet in the air before the game against the Purdue Boilermakers at Spartan Stadium on October 3, 2015, in East Lansing, Michigan. The Spartans defeated the Boilermakers 24-21. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /

Michigan State is the epitome of a developmental program. Thirteen of their projected starters this season are redshirts. They want to find their kind of guys and redshirt them to get them bigger, faster and stronger.

Last season did not go exactly as planned for the Spartans. They did, however, find a way to go bowling for the third consecutive season and the 12th time in 13 seasons. The defense was stout as usual, but they did struggle offensively.

They are in transition in 2020. Long-time head coach Mark Dantonio has stepped down and veteran quarterback Brian Lewerke has graduated. They will have a new starting quarterback, but that player is on the roster already.

The Spartans did not sign any four or five-star players this offseason so it is difficult to predict who is going to break out for first-year head coach Mel Tucker. Kyle King has a chance to play, but he is on this list because he has the most upside of any of the recruits coming to East Lansing next season.

King is a bit undersized at 242 pounds, but he has a nonstop motor and is strong. He needs to develop a repertoire of pass rush maneuvers but he has a nose for the football and a knack for getting to the quarterback. He might redshirt this season; he might earn some snaps. Whenever he gets on the field, King is going to be a player sooner or later for the Spartans.

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