Michigan State Football: Top 50 players of all time

Sep 6, 2014; Eugene, OR, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Tony Lippett (14) runs the ball in the first half against the Michigan State Spartans at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Olmos-USA TODAY Sports

47. Tony Lippett

Not many receivers went from unknown scout team hero to All-Big Ten in the way Lippett did from his freshman to senior seasons at Michigan State. As a freshman, he caught just four passes for 44 yards and was used primarily as the scout team player to mirror Denard Robinson and help the Spartan defense prepare for their rivalry game against the Wolverines.

It wasn’t until his junior year that he really started to show flashes of greatness on the offensive side of the ball, catching 44 passes for 613 yards and two touchdowns. The year before that, as a sophomore, he had just over 300 yards receiving and it was unlikely that he would develop into the No. 1 target whom the Spartans desperately needed.

During the 2012 season, it looked like no receiver would ever step up from that roster to be a top-level player, but Lippett did just that.

Surviving the Andrew Maxwell era from 2012 into the first couple games of 2013, Lippett became one of the more reliable wide outs in the country, earning first-team All-Big Ten honors in 2014 while helping the Spartans win the Cotton Bowl. His touchdown the year before in the Rose Bowl was one of the daggers which led the Spartans to victory.

Lippett finished his career with 149 receptions (3rd) for 2,247 yards (5th) and 15 touchdowns (8th) as well as Big Ten receiver of the year honors in 2014. He was drafted by the Miami Dolphins to play cornerback in the fifth round of 2015, showing his athleticism.

Next: 46. Denicos Allen