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Michigan State Football: Report card for 2015 season

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans cornerback Arjen Colquhoun (36) and cornerback Jermaine Edmondson (39) carry the Big Ten east championship trophy after a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back LJ Scott (3) celebrates a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half of a game at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Running Backs: B

To say the future is bright at the running back position is an absolute understatement. Four guys could have easily started this season, but the running back by committee was narrowed to basically three by season’s end as Delton Williams looked more like the odd man out. If Williams could convert to fullback, or maybe linebacker, his role could increase.

As for the other three, there was no 1,000 yard rusher this season, which is the first time that has happened since 2011 when Le’Veon Bell finished with about 950 after taking over for Edwin Baker.

Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Gerald Holmes (24) runs the ball during the 1st quarter of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 28, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Gerald Holmes (24) runs the ball during the 1st quarter of a game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

When you look at the production from the running backs, it doesn’t look very impressive. In fact, the leading rusher, L.J. Scott had just 699 yards, but his 11 touchdowns and 4.8 yards per carry proved that he has a bright future. His yards per carry are actually way down since he played two of the top run defenses in the final two games of his freshman season.

Scott looks to be the back of the future and helped MSU beat Iowa and Ohio State, and even Oregon. He was named Big Ten freshman of the week multiple times and his potential is through the roof — maybe the next Le’Veon.

Gerald Holmes got basically every start after Madre London’s injury. Holmes showed flashes of brilliance, but had just 540 yards and eight touchdowns on 4.9 yards per touch.

Lastly, London, who was the starter to begin the year before his injury at Rutgers, finished third with 500 yards and three touchdowns on 4.2 yards per carry. He has so much potential as well, but it seemed like he never recovered from that earlier injury.

These three will give defenses major problems next season and I wouldn’t be surprised to see two of them go over the 1,000-yard mark.

Next: Receivers

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