Several Spartans earn postseason honors from football guru, Phil Steele

Thursday afternoon, independent national football analyst and sportswriter Phil Steele issued his annual post-season honors and several Michigan State Spartans made the cut for his All-Big Ten teams on both offense and defense.

On the defensive side of the ball, linebacker Antjuan Simmons and cornerback Shakur Brown both were selected to Steele’s All-Big Ten second team. On offense, wide receiver Jalen Nailor was selected to Steele’s All-Big Ten third team.

For Simmons and Brown, this honor adds to a growing list for both players. Both Simmons and Brown had previous been selected to the All-Big Ten teams by the Big Ten coaches and media as well as the Associated Press. For Nailor, however, this is his first major postseason honor.

Simmons and Brown were clearly two of the most productive members of the 2020 Spartan defense. Antjuan Simmons led the team with 75 tackles, nine of which were for a loss. Shakur Brown led the team with five total interceptions. Both players have also played their final game in the green and white as both young men have already declared for the 2021 NFL Draft.

As for Nailor, the junior had his best year yet as a Spartan, catching 26 passes for a total of 515 yards and four touchdowns. These numbers were tops on the roster for total receiving yards and touchdowns and second on the team behind Jayden Reed in total receptions. Nailor will be returning next year as a key piece of the Spartan offense.

The complete matrix of Phil Steele’s All Big Ten team is shown below: