Michigan State Football: Positional report card from Iowa victory

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 30: Linebacker Chris Frey #23 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates after recovering a fumble by wide receiver Brandon Smith of the Iowa Hawkeyes and returning it 11 yards during the third quarter at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Iowa 17-7. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 30: Wide receiver Felton Davis III #18 of the Michigan State Spartans is pursued by defensive back Amani Hooker #27 of the Iowa Hawkeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on September 30, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

B+. . WR. Michigan State. WIDE RECEIVERS

It was tough to gauge the effectiveness of the receiving corps as a whole — I’d have to go back and watch the game again — because Felton Davis III dominated the targets. He was clearly Brian Lewerke’s favorite receiver all game long, and it was a sight to behold.

In fact, Davis III looked like the receiver Michigan State was hoping to get when he committed to the 2015 class. The 6-foot-4, thin-framed wide out has the size to rise up and make catches over defenders and he’s athletic enough to make moves to get open. He did both of those things on Saturday against Iowa.

Davis III finished with nine catches for 114 yards and two touchdowns — all career-highs for a single game. If he can continue to prove himself as the No. 1 target, he can take plenty of pressure off Lewerke.

Junior tight end Matt Sokol had two catches for 24 yards, Laress Nelson made an eye-popping one-handed catch for 23 yards, too. Just watch:

Nelson is exceeding expectations. Trishton Jackson had just one catch for 11 yards, Cody White had one for 17, Cam Chambers had a reception for 10 yards and Darrell Stewart Jr. had two for 11. There’s plenty of talent and depth here, but too much reliance on one guy in this contest.

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