Michigan State Football: 5 most irreplaceable players for 2019 season

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EAST LANSING, MI – NOVEMBER 24: Wide receiver Cody White #7 of the Michigan State Spartans is pursued by defensive back Saquan Hampton #9 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights and linebacker Tyshon Fogg #8 of the Rutgers Scarlet Knights on a 22-yard touchdown run during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 24, 2018 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State defeated Rutgers 14-10. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /

Cody White missed some time in 2018 and that visibly took a toll on Michigan State’s offense, especially since Felton Davis III’s career was cut short because of an Achilles injury.

Brian Lewerke and Rocky Lombardi had a tough time finding a reliable target until White returned and even when he was back, the offense struggled because the quarterbacks couldn’t really get him the ball. Add in the fact that other receivers (Cam Chambers, Jalen Nailor, Darrell Stewart Jr.) were injured and missed time, and defenses had an easy time focusing on White.

Even with that extra focus, White managed to catch a career-high 42 passes for 555 yards and two touchdowns while playing in two fewer games as a sophomore than as a freshman.

Now that Davis III is gone, White will be expected to be that go-to receiver for the Spartans and if the aerial attack is going to get off the ground this season, he needs to be as reliable as anyone.

In seasons that Michigan State has had a ton of success, it had a true No. 1 receiver (Tony Lippett, Aaron Burbridge) so White needs to be that. If he goes down, the offense will struggle again.

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