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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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ANN ARBOR, MI – OCTOBER 07: Chris Frey #23 and LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate the win over Michigan Wolverines with the Paul Banyun trophy 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: Chris Frey #23 and LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate the win over Michigan Wolverines with the Paul Banyun trophy at Michigan Stadium on October 7, 2017 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Michigan 14-10. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /

1. Maturity and leadership

Want the most obvious reason? Here it is. LJ Scott is maturing before our eyes and becoming one of the team’s best leaders. He had a rough junior season filled with fumbles, benching and tickets for driving with a suspended license. He was questioned as a leader and looked at as someone who needed to grow up if he wanted to make it in the NFL.

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Well, he proved he wanted to do just that by returning for his final season despite doing just enough to earn himself a selection in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Teammates will now be looking up to him as one of the team’s veterans and the coaching staff has to be pleased with how far he’s come since his freshman season. He’s becoming more of a leader and a role model to his peers. He’s learned from his mistakes and is ready to capitalize on being the team’s No. 1 back without having to share a bulk of the carries.

Michigan State will see a more mature Scott this season and that’ll be both on and off the field. He’s going to be a captain-like figure off the field and on it, he’ll have a more mature running style that doesn’t include trying to run through a dog pile.

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With three years of experience under his belt, living through the good and bad of college athletics, Scott will finally come out on top as one of the nation’s best backs.

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