EAST LANSING - Consistency was key at linebacker for Michigan State last season as the same three players started all 13 games.
There's now an opening.
Two-year starter Chris Frey graduated and the competition to claim his starting strong-side linebacker spot is ongoing heading into today's spring game (5 p.m., BTN) at Spartan Stadium.
"It's a big-time competition between Tyriq Thompson and Brandon Randle," Michigan State co-defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Mike Tressel said of filling out the starting linebacker group with Joe Bachie in the middle and Andrew Dowell at the weak side.
Thompson, 6-foot-1 and 244 pounds, is a redshirt junior who posted 11 tackles in 12 games last season.