Michigan State Football: Anthony Russo needs to be QB1

I like quarterback Payton Thorne. However, he may not be ready to lead Michigan State football back to glory. Yet the seasoned quarterback, Anthony Russo, looked good Saturday. Yes, it was a scrimmage and controlled practice. It was the arm talent that was on display.

Thorne also looked solid and a fellow Spartan Ave writer believes he looked like QB1 for the Spartans with his performance but I’m going with the vet here.

Russo throwing to receiver Jayden Reed in stride was not only a beautiful pass but a picture of the arm talent he has.

Mel Tucker is wise in not naming a starter because it will push both Russo and Thorne. The latter had a bad interception, which was an illustration of a young quarterback attempting to make an offensive play rather than allowing the play to develop.

Benefitting from move to Michigan State football

Russo was a bit of a gunslinger in his days at Temple. However, my caveat to that is he had to be given the lack of talent around him. I believe Michigan State is heading in the right direction with the influx of transfers and growing demands Tucker and his staff have put on the offense.

The Temple transfer has a cannon but also has touch on his passes. This is something that has been missing from the Spartan quarterback room for several seasons.

I anticipate Russo winning the starting quarterback job. I also perceive it’s likely the Spartans could be in position to have a surprise year in the Big Ten. Fixing the quarterback position will empower the rest of the offense and inspire the defense.

Look for Russo to lay claim on QB1 this summer.