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Michigan State Football: 5 reasons to be excited about 2019 after spring

By Connor Muldowney

COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Byron Cowart #9 of the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images)
COLLEGE PARK, MD - NOVEMBER 03: Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans runs past Byron Cowart #9 of the Maryland Terrapins during the first half at Capital One Field on November 3, 2018 in College Park, Maryland. (Photo by Will Newton/Getty Images) /
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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Running back Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights during during the first half at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

4. Depth at running back

LJ Scott is off to the NFL, signing with the Ravens as an undrafted free agent and leaving the backfield relatively unattended — or so it would look to the casual fan.

Actually, the ex-Spartan running back didn’t play all that much in 2018, finishing with just five appearances out of 13 games and Connor Heyward stepped up as the team’s top rusher. Heyward could very well take over that No. 1 role in the backfield, but the Spartans have plenty of options, and that became obvious this spring.

Anthony Williams Jr., an early enrollee, had sort of a break out spring game, flashing his explosiveness in the open field and endless athleticism. La’Darius Jefferson looked solid and probably had the biggest workload of all the backs. If he improves his vision, he’ll be a tough back for defenses to handle.

Then there was Elijah Collins who has gotten rave reviews this spring as a shifty back with size and Weston Bridges, a former four-star who has dealt with knee issues throughout his career, got some touches as well.

The backfield has plenty of depth so there should be no shortage of talented rushers throughout the season — the same couldn’t have been said for the 2018 crop.

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