Michigan State Football: 3 biggest surprises from 2019 season

Although the 2019 season was an overall disappointment for Michigan State football, who — or what — were the biggest surprises?

Michigan State’s 2019 season was one of the most disappointing in recent memory, up there with 2018 and 2016, but there were still some surprising moments.

Pulling off a big win at Northwestern was the first — until the Wildcats had one of the worst seasons in the Pat Fitzgerald era. Losing to Arizona State in heartbreaking fashion at home was also a surprise — although not a pleasant one — as was giving Ohio State a battle in Columbus for 3/4 quarters and holding a 7-0 lead against Michigan.

But there were also some surprising breakout players.

Who were the biggest surprises from 2019?

3. Pre-injury Darrell Stewart

Darrell Stewart Jr. had a breakout season as a sophomore for Michigan State, accounting for over 500 receiving yards, but took a step back in 2018 with just 413 yards and a touchdown on 8.6 yards per reception. He was looking like a guy more suited for a No. 2 or No. 3 receiver role than a true No. 1 but in the first half of 2019, he proved otherwise.

Before his injury at the end of October which ended his 2019 season — outside of two catches for three yards in the Pinstripe Bowl — Stewart Jr. caught 47 passes for 694 yards and four touchdowns which were all career-highs.

I’ll be the first to admit I was surprised with his rise and emergence as a true No. 1 receiver before he went down with a broken bone in his leg. He was sure-handed and looked like a Felton Davis III-type receiver who caught nearly everything thrown in his general direction. He looked destined to be the Big Ten Receiver of the Year.

And then an injury happened.

Pre-injury Stewart Jr. was incredibly fun to watch and a pleasant surprise, to say the least.