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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons LJ Scott could be Big Ten’s best RB in 2017

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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With the 2017 Michigan State football season right around the corner, here are five reasons why LJ Scott could be the Big Ten’s best running back.

With the 2017 Michigan State football season quickly approaching, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on. As we dive deeper into the fall, questions will arise regarding the conference’s best players at each position.

Although Michigan State is relatively young and inexperienced at most positions on each side of the ball, there’s one player that already stands out as a star. Junior running back LJ Scott is ready to step into the spotlight after spending the last two years as a lightly-used rusher.

Sure, he received a bulk of the carries in 2017, but compared to other running backs in the conference, it still wasn’t as many as it should have been for his talent level. However, not many other backs in the conference have two solid rushers to split carries with — Madre London and Gerald Holmes are no slouches.

This is Scott’s year, though. I know I’m going to make some Mike Weber and Saquon Barkley fans angry with my next statement, but here are five reasons why LJ will be the Big Ten’s best running back in 2017.

5. Le’Veon Bell-like running style, game

I’ve already explained this reasoning in a separate article, which you can read here, but I’ll highlight some of the key points.

Basically, Scott is Le’Veon Bell 2.0, in my eyes. Although Scott was a higher-rated recruit out of high school, his stats through his first two years at MSU and running style are eerily similar to Bell’s. The two Ohio-native backs are about the same size, at least at this point in their collegiate careers, and are extremely patient runners.

Bell has essentially invented a new style of running in which he’s extremely patent and trusts his offensive line. Although Scott doesn’t have the same luxury, he is patient enough and usually waits for an opening. If there’s nothing there, he creates one by being an aggressive runner.

Lastly, both are tough to bring down on initial contact. If you come at Scott with a shoulder tackle, he’s going to make you look foolish.

Why is being similar to Le’Veon Bell a basis for being the best running back in the Big Ten? Because Le’Veon is the best running back in the NFL today.

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