Michigan State Football: 3 early breakout candidates for 2021 season

Ricky White is going to be a fan favorite for years to come.

When you show up on the scene in your second career game in green and white, post nearly 200 yards and a touchdown and get a road win over your biggest rival, you’re going to be widely loved by Spartan fans. That’s exactly what White did.

After a monster game with eight receptions, 196 yards and a touchdown against Michigan, White won the Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Week. Unfortunately, he didn’t see the field much after that breakout performance due to an injury.

With a healthy offseason under his belt, White should slide in as one of the starting receivers for the Spartans. Wide receiver is probably the deepest position on the team, but White had the best individual performance out of any Spartan wideout this season. We know how good Jayden Reed and Jalen Nailor are, but a healthy White gives them both a run for their money as the best receiver on the team, with how high his ceiling is.

MSU under Mel Tucker has shown a willingness to throw the ball down the field and White has proven he can be a downfield playmaker. Once he’s healthy, he’ll be a big reason why the Spartans offense will improve.