Michigan State Football: 3 biggest questions for Spartans in spring 2021

STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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STATE COLLEGE, PA – DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA – DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans attempts a pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

1. Who will take over at quarterback?

If you didn’t see this coming at No. 1, you might not be paying close enough attention to the Spartans. The quarterback position has been a major question mark over the past couple of offseasons and with Rocky Lombardi transferring out, Payton Thorne looked to be the top option before Michigan State picked up a transfer from Anthony Russo.

Thorne finished the regular season on a high note with impressive games against Penn State and Ohio State. He looked like he could potentially be the future.

Interceptions have plagued Russo over his Temple career as he finished with 32 of them to 44 touchdowns but he has the ability to sling it. He’s a go big or go home type of passer and he has a little bit of Connor Cook to him. He takes risks but Mel Tucker is probably trying to help him cut down on those and be a safer passer.

Noah Kim, Theo Day and Hamp Fay are still on the roster but it looks like they’re in a completely different tier to start spring ball (Fay only because he’s a freshman).

Who will look like QB1 this spring?

Next. Projected starting 5 after Tyson Walker pledge. dark