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30 college football players with big shoes to fill in 2017

By Brad Weiss

Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 9, 2016; Clemson, SC, USA; Clemson Tigers quarterback Kelly Bryant (2) after faking the pass during the first quarter of the spring game at Clemson Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joshua S. Kelly-USA TODAY Sports /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 19: Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) and defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (96) tackle Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) during a Big Ten Conference NCAA football game between Michigan State and Ohio State on November 19, 2016, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 19: Spartans linebacker Riley Bullough (30) and defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk (96) tackle Buckeyes running back Mike Weber (25) during a Big Ten Conference NCAA football game between Michigan State and Ohio State on November 19, 2016, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, MI. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16. (Photo by Adam Ruff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
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Mike Panasiuk

Defensive Tackle, Michigan State

For a while, it looked like Malik McDowell would head back to Michigan State for another year. During his time with the Spartans, McDowell was plagued by injury, never really reaching his full potential. The Spartans had another down year in 2016, and as they look ahead to this season, they are going to have to replace one of the best defensive lineman in the Big Ten.

The man to replace McDowell will be Mike Panasiuk, who was a huge recruit for Michigan State when he played for Lake Park West (IL) High School. The 6-foot-3 defensive tackle was ranked as a high as No. 5 by ESPN in the state his senior year and got to see some action as a freshman last season. Panasiuk had his best game against Ohio State late in the season, racking up a season-high seven tackles.

At 19-years old, Panasiuk is very young, but he is also one of the strongest players on the Spartans. In 2015, Panasiuk set a record during The Opening camp in Oregon, as he benched 185 pounds 43 times. There is no doubt he is going to be a big-time member of the Spartans defense this season, as they look to get the program moving in the right direction.

McDowell is going to be hard to replace, but Panasiuk looked very good during the Green-White Spring Game. He is a perfect fit for the middle of the Spartans defense, and they are going to need him to step up if they want to be competitive in a very deep Big Ten East Division. The Spartans will certainly be better than their 3-9 record from a year ago, and Panasiuk may turn heads with his athleticism during the 2017 season.

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