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Michigan State Football: Brian Lewerke has tools to become Heisman dark horse

By Connor Muldowney

ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - OCTOBER 07: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a first down during the second quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10.(Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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After piecing together an impressive first year as the full-time starting quarterback, Brian Lewerke showed he has the tools to be a Heisman contender.

Despite having one of the best seasons of any quarterback under Mark Dantonio in 2017, Brian Lewerke isn’t even the most talked about college quarterback in the state of Michigan.

Must Read: MSU Football: Projected post-spring game depth chart

In fact, the redshirt junior is entering his second season as the Spartans’ starter, coming off a 10-3 campaign and all the talk recently has been about Shea Patterson. The former Ole Miss star who transferred to Michigan this offseason was recently ruled eligible in 2018 and some experts and NFL mock draft creators have him as an instant Heisman favorite and potential No. 1 pick.

It won’t take long for those same experts to turn their attention to East Lansing and Lewerke. He has the tools to be the best quarterback in the Big Ten and, believe it or not, a Heisman Trophy contender.

The accolades won’t matter to Lewerke, although it’s every young football player’s dream to someday hoist the Heisman Trophy, but he’s a selfless leader who cares about winning above all else.

Still, it’s his skill set that will make him a dark horse contender for the coveted award. He stands 6-3 and 215 pounds and has a strong arm, which could improve accuracy-wise, with a dual-threat ability that keeps defenses on edge throughout games. He evades pressure, got better at keeping his options open and not locking into one receiver throughout the 2017 season and doesn’t make many mistakes.

If there’s one area of his game that needs work, it’s the deep ball. He can hit that deep route, and proved to be on the right track during the spring game, but he has a tendency to over and under-throw receivers down the field, wide open or not.

Lewerke could very well put together the best season of any quarterback in school history which means he would have to surpass 3,300 yards and 25 touchdowns. His first season as a starter matches up well with both Connor Cook and Kirk Cousins.

  • Cousins first year as starter: 2,680 yards, 19 touchdowns, 9 INTs, 60% completion rate
  • Cook: 2,755 yards, 22 touchdowns, 6 INTs, 59% completion rate
  • Lewerke: 2,793 yards, 20 touchdowns, 7 INTs, 59% completion rate

Next: Michigan State's top 2019 NFL Draft prospects

The Arizona product is on the right track and will have a chance to become college football’s most under-appreciated quarterback. His Heisman campaign starts Aug. 31 against Utah State.

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