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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons LJ Scott could be Big Ten’s best RB in 2018

By Connor Muldowney

SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Robert Taylor #2 of the Washington State Cougars for a touchdown during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - DECEMBER 28: LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Robert Taylor #2 of the Washington State Cougars for a touchdown during the second half of the SDCCU Holiday Bowl at SDCCU Stadium on December 28, 2017 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
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LJ Scott has yet to reach his goal of 1,000 yards in a single season, but here’s why the Michigan State senior will accomplish that in 2018.

The Big Ten has some talent at the running back position heading into the 2018 campaign despite losing Saquon Barkley to the NFL. Returning are Jonathan Taylor from Wisconsin, JK Dobbins and Mike Weber from Ohio State and Michigan State’s LJ Scott. Those four could pace the conference in terms of elite backs, but the Spartans could end up having the best.

Scott is entering his senior season with the Spartans and is coming off an 898-yard campaign in 2017. In 2016, he rushed for 994 yards and as a freshman in 2015, he accounted for 699 yards. Although he’s never reached the 1,000-yard mark, he has the potential to be a star.

Failing to reach that potential in his first three years, he’s made the decision to return as a senior and live up to the hype he garnered before he even stepped foot onto campus as a freshman.

The Hubbard, Ohio, native could be better than Taylor, Dobbins and Weber this season, but it’ll take a herculean effort to do so — one that he’s capable of making.

Why will Scott be the first back since Jeremy Langford to reach the 1,000-yard mark?

5. Increased ball security

Let’s face it, this is what everyone will be keeping an eye on in 2018. Will LJ Scott be able to hold onto the ball? If the answer is yes, we can assume he’ll be on the field most of the time, getting the majority of carries for the Spartans.

If the answer is no, he’ll be back on the bench, giving his carries to Connor Heyward and Weston Bridges.

Fortunately, he’s been making an effort to protect the ball more and by announcing his return, he pledged his improvement in this weakness of his game. He’s going to be much more protective of the pigskin and that’s going to lead to a multitude of added carries compared to his freshman through junior years.

Without fumbles, Scott is going to be that much more dangerous and he’ll be on the field long enough to average over 100 yards per game, totaling over 1,000 on the season.

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