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Michigan State Football: Damion Terry is Spartans’ QB2 for now

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Damion Terry #6 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for extra yards while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 29: Damion Terry #6 of the Michigan State Spartans battles for extra yards while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan won the game 32-23. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Michigan State football has settled on a backup quarterback for 2017 in Damion Terry, but he won’t be resting easy.

When Damion Terry committed to Michigan State, he was expected to be the next big thing. Fans jumped on the bandwagon early as the four-star dual-threat from Pennsylvania had a high ceiling and the offense seemed to be gearing up for college football’s transition to favoring quarterbacks who could run effectively.

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The Spartans hadn’t had a mobile quarterback since Drew Stanton and Terry was expected to be Mark Dantonio’s first. Could he help the offense and rush for 100-plus yards per game? Everyone seemed to assume so, but injuries and inconsistent play weighed him down.

In fact, he seemed to never have a completely healthy offseason, missing time in multiple spring games and practices. The former four-star dual-threat has gone from prized recruit to career backup, and now he’s entering his final season with the hope of taking over the offense — finally.

Unfortunately for Terry, sophomore Brian Lewerke has won the job already, although the battle for the No. 2 role is just getting underway. According to Matt Charboneau of The Detroit News, though, the No. 2 job is Terry’s to lose. He went on to say that redshirt freshman Messiah deWeaver and true freshman Rocky Lombardi have been impressing.

Moreover, deWeaver feels more comfortable in the offense this season than he did in 2016.

"“I definitely feel more comfortable,” said deWeaver, who redshirted last season. “I know the playbook, know things throughout the system, know the defenses. So, I feel like everything is good and going smooth.”"

Lombardi has also earned praise from his new teammates and his 6-foot-4, 216-pound frame is something to behold. His body is college-ready, but he may have to redshirt this year despite having the arm talent to be a starter at this level.

Those two are making great impressions this fall, leaving Terry to fight for that backup job — something he never thought he’d have to do four years ago.

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Terry has passed for 356 yards, a touchdown and an interception and has completed just 36-of-72 passes over his first three years. He’s now fending off two freshmen.

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