Michigan State Football: Projected 2-deep depth chart for 2018

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a open receiver in the first half while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks for a open receiver in the first half while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a long gain during the first quarter as Jalen Elliott #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gives chase during the game at Spartan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – SEPTEMBER 23: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs for a long gain during the first quarter as Jalen Elliott #21 of the Notre Dame Fighting Irish gives chase during the game at Spartan Stadium on September 23, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Quarterback

No surprises here. Brian Lewerke is back for his junior campaign and if he can take as big a leap as Connor Cook and Kirk Cousins did from year two to year three, the Spartans will have a special season. Though Theo Day added some good weight and looks the part of a Big Ten quarterback, he’ll likely get the redshirt — he could play up to four games and still retain that redshirt.

Must Read: MSU Football: Game-by-game predictions for 2018

Starting quarterback: Brian Lewerke
Backup: Rocky Lombardi

Who’s excited for the Brian Lewerke hype train to roll through college football this season? The Spartans have yet another top-tier quarterback leading the way, but this one feels a little different.

Lewerke isn’t your average pocket passer, rather he’s a dual-threat who could rush for over 100 yards and pass for over 400. He’s done the latter two times in his career and there was a point in time that he led Michigan State in rushing early last season. He finished with 2,793 yards passing and 20 touchdowns with over 500 rushing yards.

The Spartans have a good one under center and he could be in his final season with the green and white, depending on how his draft stock looks.

Backing him up with be redshirt freshman Rocky Lombardi who looks like a linebacker, but has a strong, accurate arm. Expect him to be the backup this season with Theo Day redshirting.