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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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Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver R.J. Shelton (12) runs the ball during the third quarter in the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /

Receivers: A-

Probably one of the most impressive position groups on the team which was looked at as a weak point heading into the 2015 season. Tony Lippett and Keith Mumphery headed to the NFL after the 2014 campaign and it looked like Aaron Burbridge would have to be the guy, but his disappointing first three seasons with the Spartans overshadowed his potential.

Burbridge had a great freshman season with MSU, but it wasn’t until this season when fans really got to see what the Farmington Hills-native could really do. Heck, he probably played himself into a middle-round draft pick after winning 2015 Big Ten Receiver of the Year — the second straight MSU wide out to win the award.

Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) attempts to catch the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Lincoln, NE, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Aaron Burbridge (16) attempts to catch the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports /

The senior receiver caught basically anything thrown his way and finished the season with 85 catches for 1,258 yards and seven touchdowns — he jumped to No. 2 all time at MSU in terms of receptions.

Macgarrett Kings Jr. didn’t quite have a ‘breakout’ season as a senior, though, as he finished with 40 receptions for 519 yards and five touchdowns. He was another reason as to why this group was so successful, however, as big catches were made by him, Burbridge and R.J. Shelton.

Shelton, looking to be the No. 1 receiver next season, made some of the most clutch receptions you’ll see from a Michigan State receiver for a while. He caught a huge pass agains Rutgers, Indiana and Michigan which helped seal wins in two of those three as the game against the Wolverines came down to a fumbled punt.

I’ll include tight ends in this group and Josiah Price was a little disappointing, catching 23 passes for just 267 yards and six touchdowns. Jamal Lyles had eight catches for 133 yards and a touchdown — it seemed as if all of his receptions were huge. Lastly, Paul Lang had 11 catches for 129 yards. As a unit, the tight ends were the deepest they’ve been in years.

Next: Offensive Line

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