2017 Best Football Players in the MAC: #10 Robert Spillane, LB, Western Michigan

Robert Spillane enters his senior season as one of the most iconic players on the Western Michigan Broncos roster. At 6’2” and 220 pounds, he is a hard-hitting powerhouse for Western Michigan.

Last year, Spillane recorded 105 total tackles, accounting for 13% of all tackles for the whole team. Additionally, Spillane earned three interceptions, two forced fumbles, and a safety last year.

In last year’s championship season, Spillane sealed the game against the Northwestern Wildcats by forcing a fumble in the redzone. It led to chaos, but it saved the game nonetheless. During the same season, he managed to save the MAC Championship Game by intercepting an Ohio University Bobcats pass on their final possession.

His performance was good enough to be named to the all-MAC second team defense in 2016 and be named MAC West Defensive Player of the Week four times during the season.

Spillane gave the Bronco faithful a scare over the spring by electing to leave, but he decided to rejoin the team, as he wrote in this heartfelt explanation:

Spillane also played in all 14 games last year, showing a full recovery from his knee surgery before the 2016 season. His play is just as consistent as his attendance. Spillane has mastered coverage, spying on quarterbacks, and patiently waiting in the center for run coverage.

Any time an offense has to line up against Robert Spillane, they seem to second-guess their play-calling. He is a threat to every facet of the game.

The only question that remains is whether or not he will repeat his excellent performance of last year with the light of new expectations upon his shoulders.