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Michigan State Football: Offensive depth chart misfits for 2020

By Jack Williams

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 14: Julian Barnett #2 of the Michigan State Spartans runs with the ball during the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Spartan Stadium on September 14, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Arizona State defeated Michigan State 10-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 14: Julian Barnett #2 of the Michigan State Spartans runs with the ball during the game against the Arizona State Sun Devils at Spartan Stadium on September 14, 2019 in East Lansing, Michigan. Arizona State defeated Michigan State 10-7. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 21: Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans hands off to Anthony Williams Jr. #34 against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on September 21, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 31-10. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
EVANSTON, ILLINOIS – SEPTEMBER 21: Rocky Lombardi #12 of the Michigan State Spartans hands off to Anthony Williams Jr. #34 against the Northwestern Wildcats at Ryan Field on September 21, 2019 in Evanston, Illinois. Michigan State defeated Northwestern 31-10. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /

Rocky Lombardi

It’s been a long time since I was sitting in the stands at the Ohio State game in 2018, listening to, and tempted to join in on, “ROCKY” chants after Brian Lewerke threw a horrible interception. This, I believe, was the game where most fans lost a lot of hope. This wasn’t the same Michigan State team that had looked like it was growing into a powerhouse the past decade. This was just an average Big Ten team.

Because of Dantonio’s desperation to keep this team afloat, Lombardi was thrown into the game too frequently early in his career. With the departure of Messiah DeWeaver, there was a huge lack of depth at the quarterback position as Lewerke stumbled through the 2018-19. Lombardi’s confidence definitely took a blow, as the Spartans staff would rather start an injured Lewerke over him.

But when Lombardi did come in the game, it was exciting. This majestic bleach blonde haired quarterback with the coolest name I’ve ever heard galloping into the game. But behind all of the aesthetics, all that was left was a quarterback with a 43 percent completion rate and more interceptions than touchdowns.

Whether Lombardi’s career will continue as a starter in East Lansing will be up to Coach Tucker and Jay Johnson, but regardless, Lombardi has a tall mountain to climb and a lot to prove.

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