Michigan State Football: Top 10 prospects for 2020 NFL Draft

TEMPE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 08: (R-L) Khari Willis #27, Brian Lewerke #14, Joe Bachie #35, David Dowell #6 and basketball head coach Mike Izzo of the Michigan State Spartans walk out to mid field for the coin toss to the college football game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Sun Devil Stadium on September 8, 2018 in Tempe, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

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EAST LANSING, MI – AUGUST 31: Darrell Stewart Jr. #25 of the Michigan State Spartans dives for a first down in the first half while playing the Utah State Aggies at Spartan Stadium on August 31, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Honestly, the fact that Darrell Stewart Jr. had just 48 catches for 413 yards and a touchdown last season is shocking. He showed during last spring and even early in the season that he could be a solid go-to receiver, coming off a career year in 2017.

In fact, Stewart Jr. caught 50 passes for 501 yards and two touchdowns while rushing 20 additional times for 140 yards, averaging 7.0 yards per touch. He was electric with the ball in his hands and a major reason the Spartans went from 3-9 in 2016 to 10 wins in 2017.

Why did Stewart Jr.’s numbers dip so much in 2018? The offsense saw a ton of drop-off which started at the quarterback position and the offensive line, too, was horrid. The receiving corps were deep, but he never got the targets because of the poor play-calling and offensive execution.

It all makes sense but we have yet to see Stewart Jr. reach his full potential which could very well happen in 2019, especially after a strong spring game. He looked like the team’s top receiver, out-dueling Cody White all afternoon. Could he approach 70-80 receptions for 800-plus yards and five-plus touchdowns? It may be enough to earn a role at the next level with his athleticism.

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