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Michigan State Football: 5 takeaways from disappointing 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 20: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a first quarter pass while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - OCTOBER 20: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans throws a first quarter pass while playing the Michigan Wolverines at Spartan Stadium on October 20, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans is pursued by defensive back Saquan Hampton #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and linebacker Tyshon Fogg #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on a 22-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans is pursued by defensive back Saquan Hampton #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and linebacker Tyshon Fogg #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on a 22-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

4. Cody White can be elite, but he needs help

Cody White ended the season as the team’s receiving leader despite missing four games and that shouldn’t surprise anyone who saw Felton Davis III go down with an injury in the Michigan debacle.

When Davis III went down, all hope for a successful 2018 season went with him. He was the bulk of the offense and he carried the Spartans through six-plus games with 31 catches for 474 yards and four touchdowns. He was the offense’s saving grace and exactly what kept this team afloat for the first half of the season and he was gone just like that.

White returned two games later and had a quiet game against Maryland, catching two passes for 20 yards, but the offense didn’t quite need him as Connor Heyward and the run game showed out.

The next game, he finished with eight catches for 115 yards, a season-best. Still, he didn’t reach the end zone in the final five games after his injury, proving that the offense needed more weapons outside of White as the defense keyed in on him.

White proved he was an elite receiver, making some incredibly difficult snags all season long, but he can’t do it all on his own. Just like Felton benefitted from having White beside him to split the defense, the latter will flourish with more help at receiver and tight end in 2019.

The quarterbacks, and White, need some help and guys like Jalen Nailor, Cam Chambers, CJ Hayes, Darrell Stewart Jr., Tre Mosley, Matt Dotson and Trenton Gillison could provide that next season, but who assumed the role of No. 2?

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