Photo by: Matthew Mitchell Photography
Nine Spartans Earn All-Big Ten Recognition
11/29/2023 12:39:00 PM | Football
Ryan Eckley named second-team All-Big Ten by both the media and coaches.
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Nine Spartans have earned recognition from the Big Ten Conference for the 2023 season, led by redshirt freshman punter Ryan Eckley, who was named to the second team by both the coaches and media.
Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow (coaches and media), linebacker Aaron Brule (media), running back Nathan Carter (coaches and media), offensive guard J.D. Duplain (coaches and media), linebacker Cal Haladay (coaches and media), placekicker Jonathan Kim (coaches and media), safety Jaden Mangham (coaches and media) and center Nick Samac (coaches and media) garnered honorable mention recognition.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P R-Fr. Ryan Eckley (second team, coaches and media)
Eckley, a native of Lithia, Florida, ranked second in the Big Ten Conference and seventh in the FBS with his 46.8-yard punting average, which was the fifth-longest average in MSU single-season history. Named to the Ray Guy Midseason Award Watch List, Eckley also ranked second in the Big Ten in 50-plus yard punts (23) and punts inside the 20 (24). He also had four punts of 60-plus yards and 15 inside the 10-yard line.
Eckley ended the season on a strong note by pinning at least one inside the 20 in each of the last six games, including 15 punts inside the 20 in the last five games. He saved one of his best performances for last, booming a season-high six punts for 50-plus yards in the regular-season finale vs. Penn State for a 54.0-yard average, including two of 60-plus yards, highlighted by his final punt of the night going for 63 yards.
PK R-Sr. Jonathan Kim (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Kim, a Fredericksburg, Virginia, native, ranked ninth in the Big Ten with 13 field goals, with seven of those coming from 40-plus yards, including four of 50-plus yards. He boomed the longest field goal in the Big Ten and second-longest in the FBS this season with a 58-yarder at Iowa as time expired in the first half. It was also the longest field goal in Kinnick Stadium history and the fourth-longest in program history.
Kim kicked two of the top six and three of the top nine longest field goals in the Big Ten, with a 53-yarder at Ohio State (11/11) and a 52-yarder vs. Richmond (9/9). Additionally, Kim has four of the top 15 and five of the top 20 in the conference, adding a 50-yarder vs. Nebraska (11/4) and a 47-yarder in the season opener vs. Central Michigan. He had at least one field goal in nine of the 12 games, part of 13-of-18 for the season, including 6-of-6 on field goals of 30-39 yards, 3-of-5 from 40-49 and 4-of-7 on 50-plus yards with the career-long 58-yarder. The graduate transfer from North Carolina also ranked eighth in the Big Ten in touchbacks (28), along with ranking sixth in the league in touchback percentage (65.12) and seventh in average (62.14).
DEFENSE
DT R-Jr. Simeon Barrow (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Redshirt junior Simeon Barrow Jr. has started in 30 games over the past three seasons (2021-23) and had 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs (40 yards) and 3.5 sacks (38 yards) in 12 games and 10 starts this season. The disruptive defensive tackle led the team and ranked sixth in the Big Ten among interior defenders with 22 QB pressures. Barrow blocked two field goals this season (vs. Minnesota and Indiana) to become the first Spartan since Jerel Worthy in 2011 to block two kicks in the same season. This marks the second consecutive season Barrow has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten.
LB Gr.-6 Aaron Brule (honorable mention, media)
Sixth-year graduate senior linebacker Aaron Brule led the team in tackles for loss (8.5 for 35 yards) and sacks (5.0 for 25 yards) and ranked fifth with 64 tackles overall. Brule, who played four seasons (2018-21) at Mississippi State before transferring to Michigan State in 2022, played in 64 collegiate games (40 at Mississippi State, 24 at Michigan State). For his career, Brule had 235 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks.
LB R-Jr. Cal Haladay (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay led the team in tackles for the second consecutive year with 91 (7.6 avg.), tied for seventh most in the Big Ten during the regular season. In addition, he tied for third on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. He has 307 total tackles for his career in 41 games, which ranks 18th in school history. Haladay led the Big Ten in tackles per game last season (10.0 avg.; 120 total).
During the third quarter at Iowa on Sept. 30, Haladay tied a school record with the third defensive touchdown of his career as he returned a fumble 42 yards for a scoop-and-score in the third quarter against the Hawkeyes. He had two interception returns for touchdowns in 2021 (30 yards vs. Indiana and 78 yards vs. Pitt in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl). Haladay is the fourth Spartan in school history to score three defensive touchdowns, joining RJ Williamson (2012-15), Shilique Calhoun (2012-15) and T.J. Turner (1997-2000).
This marks the third time Haladay has earned All-Big Ten recognition in his career (honorable mention in 2021; second team in 2022; honorable mention in 2023).
S So. Jaden Mangham (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Sophomore Jaden Mangham started in 10 of the 12 games at safety (DNP at Iowa due to injury) for the Spartans this season. He led the team and ranked tied for fifth in the Big Ten with a career-high four interceptions during the regular season. Mangham recorded a pick in back-to-back games (at Minnesota, vs. Nebraska), and also had interceptions against Washington and Rutgers. In addition, he had three pass break-ups and ranked sixth on the team with 53 tackles.
OFFENSE
RB R-So. Nathan Carter (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranked seventh in the Big Ten rushing in the regular season, averaging 66.5 yards per game (798 total). He also ranked third in the conference in carries (185) and 15th in all-purpose yards (901; 75.1 ypg), and led the team with four rushing touchdowns.
The UConn transfer rushed for 100 yards in three games, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. He had 111 yards on 19 carries vs. Richmond in Week 2 and ran for 108 yards on a season-high 20 carries at Iowa in Week 5.
Carter became the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2.
Carter has rushed for 1,781 yards on 375 carries in his 28-game collegiate career (16 at UConn from 2021-22; 12 at MSU in 2023), including seven rushing touchdowns.
OG Gr.-5 J.D. Duplain (honorable mention, coaches and media)
J.D. Duplain, a native of Strongsville, Ohio, started 42 consecutive games at left guard to close out his Spartan career, the second-longest streak by an offensive lineman in school history (Shane Hannah with 44 from 1991-94). Duplain's 47 starts overall are also second most in MSU history by an offensive lineman (record: Joel Foreman with 49 from 2008-11).
The four-year letterwinner played in a total of 53 career games for the Spartans from 2019-23; he started five games as a true freshman in 2019, then five more during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Duplain started all 13 games in 2021, and all 12 in 2022 and 2023. This marks the third time in his career that Duplain has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades.
C Gr.-5 Nick Samac (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Nick Samac, who was named to the Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List, started 32 games in his career while playing in a total 49 games the past five seasons (2019-23). He played a career-high 803 snaps in 2022, most on the Spartan offense, and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. Unfortunately, Samac suffered a season-ending injury in the first half at Indiana on Nov. 18. This marks the second time Samac has picked up honorable mention recognition from the conference in his career.
Defensive tackle Simeon Barrow (coaches and media), linebacker Aaron Brule (media), running back Nathan Carter (coaches and media), offensive guard J.D. Duplain (coaches and media), linebacker Cal Haladay (coaches and media), placekicker Jonathan Kim (coaches and media), safety Jaden Mangham (coaches and media) and center Nick Samac (coaches and media) garnered honorable mention recognition.
SPECIAL TEAMS
P R-Fr. Ryan Eckley (second team, coaches and media)
Eckley, a native of Lithia, Florida, ranked second in the Big Ten Conference and seventh in the FBS with his 46.8-yard punting average, which was the fifth-longest average in MSU single-season history. Named to the Ray Guy Midseason Award Watch List, Eckley also ranked second in the Big Ten in 50-plus yard punts (23) and punts inside the 20 (24). He also had four punts of 60-plus yards and 15 inside the 10-yard line.
Eckley ended the season on a strong note by pinning at least one inside the 20 in each of the last six games, including 15 punts inside the 20 in the last five games. He saved one of his best performances for last, booming a season-high six punts for 50-plus yards in the regular-season finale vs. Penn State for a 54.0-yard average, including two of 60-plus yards, highlighted by his final punt of the night going for 63 yards.
PK R-Sr. Jonathan Kim (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Kim, a Fredericksburg, Virginia, native, ranked ninth in the Big Ten with 13 field goals, with seven of those coming from 40-plus yards, including four of 50-plus yards. He boomed the longest field goal in the Big Ten and second-longest in the FBS this season with a 58-yarder at Iowa as time expired in the first half. It was also the longest field goal in Kinnick Stadium history and the fourth-longest in program history.
Kim kicked two of the top six and three of the top nine longest field goals in the Big Ten, with a 53-yarder at Ohio State (11/11) and a 52-yarder vs. Richmond (9/9). Additionally, Kim has four of the top 15 and five of the top 20 in the conference, adding a 50-yarder vs. Nebraska (11/4) and a 47-yarder in the season opener vs. Central Michigan. He had at least one field goal in nine of the 12 games, part of 13-of-18 for the season, including 6-of-6 on field goals of 30-39 yards, 3-of-5 from 40-49 and 4-of-7 on 50-plus yards with the career-long 58-yarder. The graduate transfer from North Carolina also ranked eighth in the Big Ten in touchbacks (28), along with ranking sixth in the league in touchback percentage (65.12) and seventh in average (62.14).
DEFENSE
DT R-Jr. Simeon Barrow (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Redshirt junior Simeon Barrow Jr. has started in 30 games over the past three seasons (2021-23) and had 36 tackles, 5.5 TFLs (40 yards) and 3.5 sacks (38 yards) in 12 games and 10 starts this season. The disruptive defensive tackle led the team and ranked sixth in the Big Ten among interior defenders with 22 QB pressures. Barrow blocked two field goals this season (vs. Minnesota and Indiana) to become the first Spartan since Jerel Worthy in 2011 to block two kicks in the same season. This marks the second consecutive season Barrow has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten.
LB Gr.-6 Aaron Brule (honorable mention, media)
Sixth-year graduate senior linebacker Aaron Brule led the team in tackles for loss (8.5 for 35 yards) and sacks (5.0 for 25 yards) and ranked fifth with 64 tackles overall. Brule, who played four seasons (2018-21) at Mississippi State before transferring to Michigan State in 2022, played in 64 collegiate games (40 at Mississippi State, 24 at Michigan State). For his career, Brule had 235 tackles, 32.5 tackles for loss and 16.5 sacks.
LB R-Jr. Cal Haladay (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Redshirt junior linebacker Cal Haladay led the team in tackles for the second consecutive year with 91 (7.6 avg.), tied for seventh most in the Big Ten during the regular season. In addition, he tied for third on the team with 5.5 tackles for loss. He has 307 total tackles for his career in 41 games, which ranks 18th in school history. Haladay led the Big Ten in tackles per game last season (10.0 avg.; 120 total).
During the third quarter at Iowa on Sept. 30, Haladay tied a school record with the third defensive touchdown of his career as he returned a fumble 42 yards for a scoop-and-score in the third quarter against the Hawkeyes. He had two interception returns for touchdowns in 2021 (30 yards vs. Indiana and 78 yards vs. Pitt in Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl). Haladay is the fourth Spartan in school history to score three defensive touchdowns, joining RJ Williamson (2012-15), Shilique Calhoun (2012-15) and T.J. Turner (1997-2000).
This marks the third time Haladay has earned All-Big Ten recognition in his career (honorable mention in 2021; second team in 2022; honorable mention in 2023).
S So. Jaden Mangham (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Sophomore Jaden Mangham started in 10 of the 12 games at safety (DNP at Iowa due to injury) for the Spartans this season. He led the team and ranked tied for fifth in the Big Ten with a career-high four interceptions during the regular season. Mangham recorded a pick in back-to-back games (at Minnesota, vs. Nebraska), and also had interceptions against Washington and Rutgers. In addition, he had three pass break-ups and ranked sixth on the team with 53 tackles.
OFFENSE
RB R-So. Nathan Carter (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Redshirt sophomore running back Nathan Carter ranked seventh in the Big Ten rushing in the regular season, averaging 66.5 yards per game (798 total). He also ranked third in the conference in carries (185) and 15th in all-purpose yards (901; 75.1 ypg), and led the team with four rushing touchdowns.
The UConn transfer rushed for 100 yards in three games, including a season-high 113 yards on 18 carries in his debut against Central Michigan in Week 1. He had 111 yards on 19 carries vs. Richmond in Week 2 and ran for 108 yards on a season-high 20 carries at Iowa in Week 5.
Carter became the first Spartan since Jehuu Caulcrick in 2007 to score three touchdowns in a single quarter after running for three scores (2 yards, 44 yards, 6 yards) in the third quarter of the 45-14 win over Richmond in Week 2.
Carter has rushed for 1,781 yards on 375 carries in his 28-game collegiate career (16 at UConn from 2021-22; 12 at MSU in 2023), including seven rushing touchdowns.
OG Gr.-5 J.D. Duplain (honorable mention, coaches and media)
J.D. Duplain, a native of Strongsville, Ohio, started 42 consecutive games at left guard to close out his Spartan career, the second-longest streak by an offensive lineman in school history (Shane Hannah with 44 from 1991-94). Duplain's 47 starts overall are also second most in MSU history by an offensive lineman (record: Joel Foreman with 49 from 2008-11).
The four-year letterwinner played in a total of 53 career games for the Spartans from 2019-23; he started five games as a true freshman in 2019, then five more during the pandemic-shortened 2020 season. Duplain started all 13 games in 2021, and all 12 in 2022 and 2023. This marks the third time in his career that Duplain has earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades.
C Gr.-5 Nick Samac (honorable mention, coaches and media)
Nick Samac, who was named to the Rimington Trophy Preseason Watch List, started 32 games in his career while playing in a total 49 games the past five seasons (2019-23). He played a career-high 803 snaps in 2022, most on the Spartan offense, and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten by the coaches and media. Unfortunately, Samac suffered a season-ending injury in the first half at Indiana on Nov. 18. This marks the second time Samac has picked up honorable mention recognition from the conference in his career.
Players Mentioned
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