Michigan State Football: Top 50 players of all time
17. T.J. “Todd” Duckett
Yet another eventual first-round pick to make the list, T.J. “Todd” Duckett is one of the best running backs to commit to Michigan State out of high school. Out of high school, he was rated as a five-star and the top linebacker in the nation, but the Spartans, and head coach Nick Saban, recruiting him to play running back.
Following his older brother Tico’s footsteps at Michigan State wasn’t going to be easy, but T.J. had the skill to be every bit as good as him, and even better.
Duckett played a good amount as a freshman, rushing for 606 yards and 10 touchdowns for the Citrus Bowl champion Spartans. He played the final two years of his career, 2000-01, under Saban’s successor, Bobby Williams.
Most famous for his touchdown catch against Michigan with no time left in the clock at Spartan Stadium in 2001 — from Jeff Smoker who also just missed this top 50 list — Duckett should also be known for his ability to destroy defenders with bruising runs.
In three seasons, Duckett finished with 3,379 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground, good for sixth and eighth place all-time at MSU. He decided to leave before his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, getting chosen in the first round with the 18th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons.
Next: 16. Kirk Gibson