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Michigan State Football: LJ Scott’s legacy hinges on junior season

By Stephen Robb

Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) leaps over Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Nyles Morgan (5) during the first half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 17, 2016; South Bend, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) leaps over Notre Dame Fighting Irish linebacker Nyles Morgan (5) during the first half a game at Notre Dame Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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It’s a make-or-break year for one of the most high profile Michigan State football players coach Mark Dantonio landed from the state of Ohio: LJ Scott.

Last year for the green and white was a disaster and this coming season provides all the promise and hope for a team that went 3-9 in 2016. The Spartans experienced new lows in the Dantonio era.

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However, LJ Scott was a bright spot in an otherwise dark time for Sparty. He almost rushed for 1,000 yards, going for 994 yards and six touchdowns. During his freshman year, he rushed for 699 yards. Thus it would appear that this is the year that Scott breaks out and fulfills all those hopes Spartan fans everywhere had when he signed his letter of intent.

This is an upcoming year that will determine Scott’s legacy in East Lansing. He is coming off of offseason surgery, but by all accounts it was minor and he should be ready to go once practice resumes. Scott has much to prove this year especially because it could be his last in the green and white.

A cryptic tweet a while ago, about the NFL combine, hinted that he might turn pro after his junior season and that could be a wise move considering the short shelf life of NFL running backs.

Therefore, this is the year for Scott if he is to be that player scouts, sports writers, coaches and fans all thought he could be. The talent is there and there have been glimpses of it like the 2015 Big Ten Championship game where he single-handedly put the Spartans on his back, or legs rather, and helped drive them down the field.

However, those unbelievable performances had been few and far between before the second half of his sophomore year.

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Yes, injuries and a weakened offensive line hurt him last year in some games. If Scott is to ever be the player and fulfill potential then this is the time and it is “do or die.” The Spartans are counting on him if they are going to return to the Big Ten Championship Game.

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