'Who wore it best' at Michigan State: No. 50

Ever see a number on a Michigan State football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Me, too. In this daily series, I’ll give you my take on which Spartan football player was the best ever to wear each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at MSU? And what kind of impact did he have on the program?

No. 50 – Josh Thornhill

Linebacker, 1998-2001, Lansing

Résumé

1998: 46 solo tackles, 34 assisted, 80 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss, sack

1999: 33 solo tackles, 40 assisted, 73 total tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

2000: 68 solo tackles, 46 assisted, 114 total tackles, 8 tackles for loss, sack

2001: 93 solo tackles, 35 assisted, 128 total tackles, 15 tackles for loss

Total: 240 solo tackles, 155 assisted, 395 total tackles, 33 tackles for loss, 5 sacks

Why Thornhill?

Josh Thornhill was a two-time captain at Michigan State and never lost to Notre Dame in his four years on campus.

Need more proof that the linebacker from Lansing Eastern is the best to ever wear No. 50?

His 395 total tackles are the fifth most in school history. His 33 tackles for loss is still in the Top 10.

As a freshman, Thornhill, the brother of Kaleb and son of MSU great Charlie “Mad Dog” Thornhill, was a second-team Freshman All-America selection by The Sporting News. He started six games for Spartans coach, Nick Saban, including a 15-tackle performance in a 28-24 upset win over No. 1 Ohio State.

After a sophomore campaign that saw Thornhill rack up 73 tackles as a full-time starter for the 10-2 Spartans, he was named a team captain the following season. All he did was record 114 tackles and eight tackles for loss. During his senior season, Thornhill led MSU with 128 tackles and 15 tackles for loss.

Thornhill, who was elected into the Eastern Hall of Fame, beat rival Michigan twice in his career. In 1999, his Spartans knocked off all three rivals, Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State, before sliding past Florida in the Citrus Bowl.

Thornhill returned to a bowl in his final season, helping lead the Spartans past Fresno State, 44-35, in the Silicon Valley Football Classic.

Who else wore No. 50?

Ted Bohn (C, 1967), Timothy Brogan (OLB, 1987), James Chastian (C/T, 1958-59), James Creamer (C, 1950-51), Michael Decker (LB, 1977-79), Paul Derrickson (FB, 1938-39), Boris Dimitroff (C, 1964-65), Calvin Fox (DE/LB, 1968-70), Steve Gardiner (LB, 2009-12), Sean Harrington (LB, 2014-15), Mark Kaczmarek (C, 1982), Steve Kielp (LB, 2003), Scott Lalain (DT, 1991), David Manders (C, 1959-61), Jeff McPherson (LB/FB, 2006-08), Michael Muster (OG, 1981), Craig Omerod (OT, 1972), John Paior (C, 1954), Mike Vorkapich (OLB, 1994), Roosevelt Wagner (OG, 1989-91)

Contact Cody Tucker at (517) 377-1070 or cjtucker@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @CodyTucker_LSJ.

MORE ON JOSH THORNHILL:
* MSU football legend Charles Thornhill passes away at age 62
* Thornhill, Ditsworth head Eastern High Hall of Fame class