Michigan State Football: LJ Scott named to Maxwell Award watch list

Michigan State football’s LJ Scott has been named to the Maxwell Award watch list for the nation’s top overall player.

Being named the nation’s top player isn’t an easy task. In fact, no Michigan State football player has won the Maxwell Award, given to college football’s best player, since 1972 when Brad Van Pelt took home the award. Could the Spartans have another Maxwell Award winner in the making?

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On Monday, junior running back LJ Scott was named to the Maxwell Award’s official watch list after compiling 994 yards and six rushing scores as a sophomore.

Although he didn’t even begin the 2016 season as the clear starting running back, he eventually took over the role which was held by Madre London and Gerald Holmes. He became one of the more reliable backs in the conference and finished just six yards shy of 1,000.

In two years with Michigan State, he has rushed for 1,693 yards and 17 touchdowns in 11 career starts. He’s on pace to have a better career than Le’Veon Bell did, and as we compared the two last week, they are eerily similar in style, production through two years.

Mark Dantonio has to feel lucky coming off a rough year and having a veteran presence like Scott in the backfield who can put up 150 yards almost weekly. Will he have a huge season in 2017?

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If all goes as planned, Scott will break the 1,500-yard mark in 2017 and the 3,000-yard plateau for his career. He has the talent and the skill level to get there, but it’s all about how many carries the staff allots for him.