Michigan State football: 15 greatest running backs in Spartans history

LJ Scott had a promising, albeit unfulfilled college career while at Michigan State. There was never any denying his raw talent, but he somehow never managed to eclipse the 1,000-yard threshold in the green and white. That being said, his overall body of work has him as a top-10 running back in Spartans history.

As a freshman in 2015, Scott had 146 carries for 699 yards and a career-best 11 rushing touchdowns. Michigan State defeated the Iowa Hawkeyes in Indianapolis to win the Big Ten Championship to make the second College Football Playoff to date. While the national semifinal game against the Alabama Crimson Tide was not the resulted Spartans fans wanted, Scott was poised for big things in his final three years of eligibility.

Even though Michigan State went a dreadful 3-9 in 2016, Scott was one of the best players on one of the worst teams of the Mark Dantonio era in East Lansing. He had 184 carries and missed out on hitting 1,000 yards on the ground by just 18 feet in that campaign. Scott also had six rushing touchdowns that season. Imagine what those numbers could have looked like if Michigan State won more that fall.

Scott would see his workload increase in 2017, as he rushed for 898 yards on 201 carries for eight touchdowns as a junior. Unfortunately, injuries took a toll on his body in 2018, limiting him to just five games played in what was his final season in East Lansing. By playing in the Redbox Bowl, Scott was unable to claim a redshirt year in 2018 by playing in that fifth game.

He declared for the 2019 NFL Draft but went undrafted. Scott originally signed as an undrafted free agent with the Baltimore Ravens but was released by the club this offseason. Two days after coming to a free-agent deal with his hometown Cleveland Browns, Scott has opted to walk away from football for the time being. It remains to be seen if he’ll suit up again.

Overall, Scott had 610 carries for 2,855 yards and 25 touchdowns in Michigan State uniform. Those totals have him ninth, ninth and 10th all time in Michigan State football history. Had he had his health in 2018, or if he opted to play a redshirt senior season in 2019, Scott’s career numbers with the Spartans might have had him pushing for Mount Rushmore status in East Lansing in terms of running back excellence.