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Michigan State Football: 5 things to watch for in 2019 spring game

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans tries to get around the tackle of Jeffrey Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans tries to get around the tackle of Jeffrey Okudah #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes after a first half catch at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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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) /

4. Who holds the keys to the backfield?

Speaking of that run game, Michigan State is searching for a No. 1 running back. LJ Scott is gone and he was supposed to be the workhorse back a season ago, but played just a handful of games and recorded career-lows in every category. He was considering a redshirt, but decided to head off to the NFL instead.

Back are La’Darius Jefferson, Connor Heyward and Weston Bridges, though, and Eli Collins will be a redshirt freshman who could turn some heads this season with his speed and shiftiness.

Jefferson could be the favorite to start as he was more effective in limited action with the ball in his hands than a couple of his backfield mates, but Heyward has the most experience — though he looks more like a third-down and goal-line back than anything else.

Bridges is a guy who could surprise some people and who I have been relatively high on since he committed and even after his knee injury. The former four-star prospect has never really had a full season of good health and he can do special things with the right opportunity. Is this his year?

Will we see a lot of Collins or will it be one of the three ‘experienced’ backs?

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