Michigan State Football: 5 biggest questions facing offense in 2019
3. Who will step up as the Spartans’ No. 1 running back?
This may be the biggest unknown heading into the season, which shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. Who will be the Spartans’ No. 1 running back?
Assumptions will all be that Connor Heyward will take over the role after LJ Scott graduated, but just because the junior running back led the team in rushing as a sophomore doesn’t mean he’s ready to be that every-down back that the Spartans need.
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The run game has been a crucial part of Michigan State’s offense since Mark Dantonio took over in 2007 and he’s had his fair share of clear No. 1 backs from Javon Ringer to Edwin Baker to Le’Veon Bell to Jeremy Langford and then LJ Scott (for a brief period). But no back has rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season since Langford graduated in 2014.
Michigan State desperately needs a back who can carry the workload and take the offense to the next level with a 1,000-yard season.
Will it be Heyward? Maybe, but La’Darius Jefferson, Anthony Williams Jr. and Eli Collins are all solid choices, too — and more natural runners.