Michigan State football has long been built on more than just talent - it’s a program rooted in legacy. From generation to generation, from brother to brother, the Spartan identity has often been passed down like a family heirloom. And as the program looks to the future, that tradition might just continue with a new set of brothers eyeing East Lansing.
If you’ve followed Spartan football over the years, the Bullough name likely rings a bell - and for good reason. Max Bullough, now MSU’s linebackers coach, once roamed the field as a fierce presence in the middle of the defense.
But he wasn’t alone. His dad, Shane, and uncle, Chuck, both suited up for the green and white, and Max’s brothers, Riley and Byron, followed suit.
That’s three generations of Bulloughs making their mark in Spartan Stadium.
Then there were the Dowell brothers - Andrew and David, twin defensive backs who patrolled the secondary with a mix of speed and smarts. Their younger brother, Michael, carried the torch after them. These weren’t just feel-good stories - they were integral pieces of MSU’s defensive identity during their respective eras.
Now, Michigan State could be adding another family chapter to its story. Twin defensive line prospects Griffin and Cooper Benke, out of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, are set to visit East Lansing on April 6-7. The 2027 recruits announced their upcoming trip on social media, and while it’s early in the process, there’s already a buzz building around their potential fit in the Spartans’ defensive rebuild.
Griffin, who’s already received an offer from Michigan State, is a disruptive force off the edge. He tallied 39 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and seven sacks during his junior season - numbers that jump off the stat sheet and speak to his ability to live in the opponent’s backfield.
Cooper, meanwhile, isn’t far behind. He posted 50 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, and five sacks - production that suggests the same kind of motor and impact.
Neither brother has been rated by the major recruiting services just yet, but don’t let that fool you. These two bring the kind of upside and physical tools that programs love to mold. And in a sport where the trenches often decide the outcome, adding a pair of high-ceiling defensive ends from the same household could be a win-win scenario for Michigan State.
The Spartans are in the midst of retooling their defensive front, and the Benke twins could be a key piece of that puzzle. While only Griffin holds an offer for now, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Cooper join him in that regard soon. Their visit will give the coaching staff - including head coach Pat Fitzgerald and defensive coordinator Joe Rossi - a closer look at how the brothers might fit into the Spartans’ long-term plans.
Michigan State has always embraced the idea of family - not just in sentiment, but in strategy. When the Spartans have been at their best, it’s often been with brothers in arms - sometimes literally.
The Bulloughs. The Dowells.
And maybe, just maybe, the Benkes.
There’s still a long way to go in the recruiting process, but this visit could be the beginning of something special. Two brothers.
One position. One program built on legacy.
Michigan State might be looking at its next great family tradition.