Michigan State Football: 5 reasons to remain optimistic about 2018

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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates with wide receiver Felton Davis III #18 after catching a 31 yard touchdown reception against the Arizona State Sun Devils during the college football game at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. The Sun Devils defeated the Spartans 16-13. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

4. Potentially the Big Ten’s best receiving corps

The offense is loaded with future pros at the skill positions, but the offensive line and play-calling have been screwing it up. If you think the talent will be wasted this year, you don’t know Mark Dantonio.

The head coach will have a say in the play-calling and he knows that his offensive coordinator has caught plenty of flak this week for his poor performance against Arizona State. That will change moving forward as the head coach will show more creativity and he’ll realize that he has future NFL players peppered around the offensive side of the ball.

Luckily for Brian Lewerke, he has three receivers who could play on Sundays relatively soon, starting with Felton Davis III. The 6-foot-4 wide out has sticky hands and a knack for high-pointing the ball or making a beautiful diving catch.

Cody White has been a star through two games, as everyone expected, and he’ll continue to get better and take pressure off Lewerke.

Darrell Stewart Jr. is second on the team in catches and also has over 100 yards receiving on the year. He’s a shifty wide out who fits the slot receiver mold and can take a five-yard pass 30 yards, making defenders miss along the way.

There’s depth there, too, with Jalen Nailor, Cam Chambers, CJ Hayes and Laress Nelson. The receivers can carry a major load and they’re arguably the best in the Big Ten — along with Ohio State.

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