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Michigan State Football: Where will Spartans be selected in 2019 NFL Draft?

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - NOVEMBER 10: Justin Layne #2 of the Michigan State Spartans breaks up a pass next to Terry McLaurin #83 of the Ohio State Buckeyes during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 10, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes the football past safety Jalen Harvey #43 of 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)
TEMPE, AZ – SEPTEMBER 08: Running back LJ Scott #3 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes the football past safety Jalen Harvey #43 of 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) /

Not many players had a roller-coaster career like LJ Scott’s. The senior running back was even considering using the 2018 season as a redshirt year so he could come back in 2019 and prove himself as a top draft prospect at running back, but figured that shelf lives for players at his position are too short for that.

Scott burst onto the scene as a freshman, rushing for 699 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 4.8 yards per carry. This wasn’t a surprising start to his college career given the fact he was a top-100 prospect, but it set the bar high — the top moment had to be “The Reach” to beat Iowa in the Big Ten title game, sending MSU to the playoff.

A 994-yard sophomore season had him facing a crucial junior year where he could finally break 1,000 yards and enter the NFL draft one year early, but he split carries with Gerald Holmes, finishing with 898 yards and eight scores. He announced after a breakout performance in the Holiday Bowl that he’d be back for his senior year.

Unfortunately, his final season was one to forget as he rushed for 264 yards on 3.3 per touch, playing in just five games. His senior year may have ruined his draft stock, going from a potential 2-4 round prospect after 2017 to a late-round, if anything, selection.

Expect a team to take a chance on Scott in the seventh round because, well, he’ll be drafted on potential — something of which he has plenty.

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