Calhoun was just a three-star recruit from Middletown, New Jersey coming out of high school. Now, the All-American and former Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year is projected as a first round pick in next years draft.

Calhoun doesn't feel that New Jersey athletes get their proper recognition, and that it isn't a lack of talent, but rather exposure.

“We do have very good talent. We don’t get as much attention because of how small our state is," Calhoun said. 

"When you get a player from New Jersey there’s more quality. The guy is going to want to listen, he’s going to want to work hard because he’s been so underrated and under respected.”

It is that dedicated and underrated player that head coach Mark Dantonio found in Calhoun and continues to search for.

"New Jersey's a very active recruiting area," Dantonio said. "They've got good high school football in that state. We're going to go over there and recruit. And we're going to always draw somebody out of there. And we've gotten great players out of there."

Calhoun expects about 50 of his friends and family to be at High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, New Jersey which is about 30 miles from Middletown High School North — Shilique's alma mater. He joked that he treated his teammates for their family tickets that they weren't using.

For a lot of Calhoun's family this will be their first opportunity to see him play in college because they have family and responsibilities of their own.

“I think it’s going to be special, it’s going to be a good time not only for me but for my family," Calhoun said. "A lot of people will be able to come out and see me. I have older siblings and older generations who have family and they’re unable to travel (to other games).”

To this day Calhoun said that he has a passion for Rutgers football, but when it came to choosing between the two when he was in high school — MSU was always home for him.

“I still do feel like Michigan State is my home, I’m happy to be here," Calhoun said. "Four and a half years later I’m still happy and feel blessed.”

For Calhoun and his teammates this is the first time the team will have to leave the state of Michigan this season. 

“We’re sick of East Lansing man," Calhoun joked. "But no, I think it will be good to get on the road honestly. We had a couple of home games early on and now it’s time to see how we fare against teams when we’re on the road.”

MSU plays Rutgers at 8:20 p.m. on Saturday.