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Michigan State Football: 25 best players of the Mark Dantonio era

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 04: Trae Waynes
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 04: Trae Waynes /
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Jeremy Langford, Michigan State Spartans
INDIANAPOLIS, IN – DECEMBER 07: Jeremy Langford #33 of the Michigan State Spartans out runs the defense of the Ohio State Buckeyes to score the game winning touchdown in the fourth quarter of the Big Ten Conference Championship game at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 7, 2013 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
  • Honorable mention All-Big Ten (2013-14)
  • School record 10 straight games with 100-plus rushing yards
  • Second in MSU history in rushing touchdowns (40)
  • Eighth in MSU history in rushing yards (2,967)

The first thing that comes to mind when the name Jeremy Langford is mentioned is the game-winning touchdown scamper against Ohio State in the 2013 Big Ten Championship. Michigan State held a 27-24 lead over the Buckeyes with time ticking away in the fourth quarter and Langford took a handoff up the middle for a nifty 26-yard score.

Michigan State fans everywhere could tell you exactly where they were when Langford crossed the goal-line in the fourth quarter, ending the Spartans’ Rose Bowl drought.

While that moment may have been the most memorable of the talented running back’s career, his rise to stardom was actually impressive. He began his career as a defensive back buried on the depth chart, but he was tasked with replacing Le’Veon Bell as a starter in 2013.

How did he respond to being named the No. 1 running back? He rushed for 1,422 yards and 18 touchdowns as a junior and 1,522 yards and 22 touchdowns as a senior. In just two years, he catapulted to second all-time in Michigan State history in terms of rushing touchdowns and eighth in rushing yards.

Just imagine what he would have done as a three or four-year starter.

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