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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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EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans high-steps into the end zone to score against the Indiana Hoosiers on an 18-yard run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – OCTOBER 21: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans high-steps into the end zone to score against the Indiana Hoosiers on an 18-yard run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on October 21, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Indiana 17-9. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

2. Most physically-gifted back since Le’Veon Bell

There’s something about LJ Scott that sets him apart from the likes of Jeremy Langford, Gerald Holmes and Madre London. Those three backs have been taking turns in the backfield since the departure of Le’Veon Bell in 2012 and it’s a no-brainer that Langford was the best of the group, putting together back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons in 2013-14.

However, he didn’t quite have that ‘it’ factor that Bell had as a back. Le’Veon was electric and always seemed to make the crowd-pleasing play which included a hurdle or a devastating spin move on a defender. Langford was more of a physical runner who had solid speed around the edge and was dangerous in open space.

Bell was a physically-gifted specimen who had the body of a linebacker yet excelled in the backfield — Scott is the same way, maybe even more so.

LJ can make those same jaw-dropping plays on defenders and has done so, hurdling over multiple opponents through his first three seasons and making wild jukes and spin moves that give fans flashbacks to the Bell days.

As long as he can realize he has the potential to be a great running back, Scott will prove to be the best back since Bell and maybe even the best back Mark Dantonio has had — but he’d need to approach 2,000 yards in 2018 to do just that.

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