Michigan State Football: Top 50 players of all time

Oct 24, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) attempts to throw the ball against the Indiana Hoosiers during the 1st half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports

3. Connor Cook

If Connor Cook finishes his career with a national title and two solid performances in the College Football Playoff’s final games, he could potentially jump into the conversation as the No. 2 or even No. 1 player in Michigan State football history.

However, the senior quarterback is right where he belongs at No. 3 and is playing some great football in his final year. Leading Michigan State to its second Big Ten Championship Game win in three years, Cook is looking to reach even higher and bring home the school’s first national title since 1966.

Redshirting as a freshman in 2011, Cook began the 2012 season as the second, or even third, string quarterback with a lot of ground to make up if he wanted to be the starter. He didn’t see his first real shot until the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl against TCU in which he helped the Spartans win the game late and eventually earned the starting job a couple games into 2013.

That turned out to be the best decision Coach Dantonio may have ever made as he has gone 34-4 in three seasons as the starter and is approaching the school’s all-time passing record for yards and is already the leader in passing touchdowns (71).

No one in MSU history has been so dominant in the national spotlight and on big stages than Cook and watching him play is a thing of beauty.

Two wins away from a national title, Cook is considered the best quarterback in school history — despite the media’s negative attention toward his “personality issues” which don’t exist.

Next: 2. Lorenzo White