Back in July, the three players also were MSU’s representatives at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago.

“I think they’re great representatives of Michigan State and Michigan State football and I think they’ll do an outstanding job of leading our football team, especially during the tough times,” Dantonio said.

Bullough
In his sophomore season, Bullough led the Spartans in tackles with 89 and was voted second-team All-Big Ten by the coaches, and honorable mention All-Big Ten by the media. He has been named to several preseason watch lists, including the Bednarik Award for defensive player of the year, and the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker.

But one of the highest honors Bullough was received is being named a team captain.

“It’s very humbling (to be selected by) a group of guys that you share everything with,” he said. “You know, they’re your age and they sweat with you, they bleed with you and they cry with you and to be picked out of those guys that are all great leaders means the world to me.”

However humbling the honor may be, Dantonio said it has been well earned.

“Max Bullough brings a fierce warrior attitude to our team,” he said. “Not that the others don’t, but I think that’s how he responds in the aspect of not to be intimidated by anything.”

Maxwell
As he enters his first year as starting quarterback, Maxwell has neither the accolades nor familiarity with fans touted by Bullough or Norman.

However, Maxwell has earned the respect of his teammates in his four years at MSU and looks to fill the leadership void left by Kirk Cousins. And while the junior quarterback doesn’t plan on changing just because he has a new title, Maxwell said he understands the significance of his teammates decision.

“Being named a captain definitely brings a little extra responsibility and I don’t think it changes your day-to-day life, but when there’s tough decisions to be made and there’s places where the team’s looking for someone to intervene, that falls on the captains,” he said.

Norman
In a true testament to MSU’s youth, Norman is the only senior captain chosen by his teammates.

In three years as a starting linebacker, Norman has amassed 146 tackles, eight tackles for loss and two sacks.

Dantonio said the Detroit native has been impressive during his four years as a Spartan, and his play this summer has been reflective of that.

“Chris Norman brings a sense of senior leadership,” Dantonio said. “He’s been a player here, he’s traveled to every game since his freshman year, he started even during his freshman year, played some significant snaps but he brings that maturity and having gone through those injuries and having to bounce back, he brings that leadership to it.”

Norman said while he looks to lead the Spartans on the field, the role of captain also calls on him to lead his teammates off it as well.

“Now you’re in a position where you can influence people, and that can last for a really long time,” he said. “That’s going to outlast football. So I think it’s a really big opportunity and it has to be treated correctly.”