Michigan State Football: Projected post-2018 spring game depth chart

6 of 7

EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 29: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a short gain as Jourdan Lewis #26 of the Michigan Wolverines makes the stop during the fourth quarter of the game at Spartan Stadium on October 29, 2016 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan defeated Michigan State 32-23. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

Running Back

Starting running back: LJ Scott
Backup: Connor Heyward/Weston Bridges

LJ Scott entered the spring game as the overwhelming favorite to start for the first time in his Spartan career. He was always projected as the starter or at least one of the lead backs, but he had to fight for carries with Madre London and Gerald Holmes.

London has since transferred and Holmes is off to make a name for himself in the NFL, leaving Scott as the only returning running back who had more than 10 carries last season.

Although he didn’t have the biggest role in the spring game this year (six carries for 22 yards), Scott will be the workhorse back this season after passing up the NFL to return for his senior campaign. He could be Michigan State’s first 1,000-yard back since Jeremy Langford, and he very well should be.

Who will his backup be? That question may not be answered for some time, but Connor Heyward made an early case for himself. He looked strong and didn’t go down on first contact. He will be a force as a sophomore in 2018, but he will be duking it out with Weston Bridges.

Bridges dressed, but the redshirt freshman didn’t play as he’s still recovering from a knee injury. It may take him some time to get used to cutting and taking hits on that knee.

Home/Spartans Football