Michigan State Football: 5 reasons LJ Scott may be Big Ten's top 2017 RB

Michigan State Football: 5 reasons LJ Scott could be Big Ten’s best RB in 2017

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 19: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for fourth quarter touchdown with his teammates during the game against the Ohio State Buckeyes at Spartan Stadium on November 19, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 17-16. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

2. Adding receiving element to his game

As mentioned on the previous slide, Scott is adding something to his game that could put him over the top. The soon-to-be junior running back has worked hard to become more of a receiving threat — at least he did during the latter part of his sophomore season as opposed to his freshman year.

With a first-year full-time starting quarterback under center in 2017, Scott is constantly going to be looked at as a safety valve. If pressure gets to Brian Lewerke faster than expected, Scott will be thrown to on a dump route more often than not, showing off the receiving skills he exhibited against Michigan, Illinois and Ohio State last season.

In fact, he had just three catches for five yards through the first seven games of the 2016 season and then added seven receptions for 142 yards and a touchdown in the final five games. If he can add that receiving element to his game and expand on it, he’s going to be that much tougher for defenses to stop.

Moreover, that will open up the offense if the defense has to account for another receiver on each play, making Lewerke’s job even easier.

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