Which Michigan State football players landed on All-Big Ten teams?

There were some Michigan State football players who were named to All-Big Ten teams this week but who are they?

The Big Ten has released the list of all-conference players for the 2023 season. Unsurprisingly, the list was pretty thin as far as Michigan State football players were concerned.

Here are the players who earned votes:

Offense

JD Duplain (RS Sr.) – Honorable Mention, Coaches/Media
Nick Samac (RS Sr.) – Honorable Mention, Coaches/Media
Nate Carter (RS So.) – Honorable Mention, Coaches/Media

Defense

Aaron Brule (Sixth year) – Honorable Mention, Media
Jaden Mangham (So.) – Honorable Mention, Coaches/Media
Cal Haladay (RS Jr.) – Honorable Mention, Coaches/Media
Simeon Barrow (RS Jr.) – Honorable Mention, Coaches/Media

Special Teams

Ryan Eckley (RS Fr.) – Second Team, Coaches/Media
Jonathan Kim (RS Sr.) – Honorable Mention, Coaches/Media

A lone All-Big Ten honoree

Ryan Eckley was the only member of Michigan State football with an All-Big Ten nod this season. He averaged 46.7 yards per punt, which was second in the conference and eighth nationally. Furthermore, he led the conference in percentage of punts downed inside the 20 at 42.9%, good for 12th nationally. Pretty impressive stuff from the redshirt freshman.

He is clearly the next in a line of legendary Spartan punters. Bryce Baringer, now on the New England Patriots, was a first-team All-Big Ten honoree last season and finalist for the Ray Guy Award. Prior to Baringer you may also recall names such as Jake Hartbarger, Mike Sadler, Aaron Bates, and most notably Fields, for whom the Big Ten punter of the year award is named. 

Offense honorable mentions

JD Duplain, left guard, started all 12 games this season. He ends his MSU career with 42 straight starts. The four-year letterwinner was a two-time All-Big Ten academic selection as well. He was voted a weekly captain eight times this season and will rather likely be named an end-of-season captain.

Nick Samac, center, started 11 games this season. He is also a four-year letterwinner at MSU and a three-time All-Big Ten academic selection. Samac was named to the preseason Rimington Award watch list and the Senior Bowl watch lists. The coaching staff voted him a weekly captain six times during the 2023 season.

Nate Carter, running back transfer from UConn, started every game for MSU this season. During his first year as a Spartan, he compiled a career-high 792 rushing yards on 4.3 yards per carry, and four touchdowns. Additionally, he added 103 receiving yards on 22 catches.

Defense honorable mentions

Aaron Brule, linebacker, transferred from Mississippi State in 2022 as a graduate student and finished his second season as a Spartan strong. He led the team in sacks (5.0) and tackles for loss (35). He was fifth on the team in total tackles (64).

Jaden Mangham, defensive back, started 11 games for MSU. After nursing injuries his freshman year, he turned in a strong sophomore campaign with four interceptions (leading the team and tied for sixth in the conference). He defended three passes and had 29 total tackles. Undoubtedly, he is a top priority for Jonathan Smith to retain going into 2024.

Cal Haladay, linebacker, started all 12 games for MSU. A preseason finalist for the Butkus, Nagurski, and Bednarik awards, he posted a surprisingly mediocre season by his standards. He netted 91 total tackles, which still led the team and was seventh in the conference. He only had one sack and 5.5 tackles for loss. Similarly to last season, Haladay frequently struggled in pass coverage situations. Over the course of his MSU career he has been a two-time All-Big Ten academic selection, as well as a second-team All-Big Ten selection and Freshman All-American. He was selected as a weekly captain twice this season.

Simeon Barrow, defensive tackle, started eleven games for MSU this season. He posted 3.5 sacks (third on the team), 5.5 tackles for loss, 36 total tackles, and a forced fumble. Barrow notably considered transferring from the team mid-season, but eventually decided to return for the Nebraska game. He had been named a weekly captain seven weeks prior to that, but Harlon Barnett said he would not be voted a captain again. We obviously hope to see him suit up again in 2024 as a Spartan.

Special teams honorable mentions

Jonathan Kim, placekicker, offered some much-needed specialist relief for Spartan fans. After last season, it was clear MSU fans needed something to cheer about, and Kim provided that. He was a perfect 17-for-17 on extra points and went 13-for-18 on field goals. He did not miss between 30 and 39, and booted four kicks of 50 yards or longer, which led all Big Ten specialists.