Spartan Avenue
Fansided

Michigan State Football: Final report card for 2018 season

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans hands off to La'Darius Jefferson #15 of the Michigan State Spartans against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - OCTOBER 13: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans hands off to La'Darius Jefferson #15 of the Michigan State Spartans against the Penn State Nittany Lions on October 13, 2018 at Beaver Stadium in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
5 of 7
Next
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 31: Thomas Graham Jr. #4 of the Oregon Ducks breaks up the pass to Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans on fourth down late in the fourth quarter of the Redbox Bowl at Levi’s Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)
SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 31: Thomas Graham Jr. #4 of the Oregon Ducks breaks up the pass to Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans on fourth down late in the fourth quarter of the Redbox Bowl at Levi’s Stadium on December 31, 2018 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images) /

Michigan State. WIDE RECEIVERS. B. . WR

It was an up-and-down year for the receivers and it was tough to give this talented unit a B seeing as it lost its star wide out and No. 2 receiver — for about a month — and still managed to put up OK numbers in the process.

Much of this grade is dependent on quarterback play and the Spartans didn’t get great production under center this year because of a Brian Lewerke injury which thrust Rocky Lombardi into action.

If Felton Davis III was healthy the entire season, we might be talking about an A/A- for this group. He single-handedly won Michigan State the Penn State game and finished the year with 31 catches for 474 yards and four touchdowns before tearing his Achilles against Michigan. He was on pace for an All-Big Ten and potential All-American season. The offense suffered in his absence.

Cody White was also out for about a month but came back to lead the team in receiving with 42 catches for 555 yards and two scores. He did as much as he could, but the Spartans needed the duo of White and Davis III.

Darrell Stewart Jr. had 48 receptions for 413 yards and a touchdown and he could grow into a bigger role in 2019. The Spartans will need his shiftiness and speed at wide out.

Cam Chambers had a breakout year, of sorts, but he, too, was injured throughout the season. He finished with a career-high 19 catches for 264 yards but is still looking for that first career touchdown.

Keep an eye on rising star Jalen Nailor at receiver who flashed ability in both the pass game as well as taking end-arounds to the house.

As for the tight ends, the final grade would have to be a C- because Matt Dotson had a rough season though it ended on a high note and Matt Sokol didn’t have the best finish to his Spartan career. The two combined for 22 receptions for 259 yards and two touchdowns. Dotson has a bright future and could use this offseason to completely reset.

Home/Spartans Football