Michigan State football’s 2021 offense has potential to flip the script

For years, Michigan State’s offense has been offensive. It’s been the laughingstock of the Big Ten and it’s led to mediocre seasons in 2018, 2019, and 2020.

The last time the offense had a pulse was in 2017 when Brian Lewerke broke out for over 2,700 passing yards and 500-plus more rushing yards, leading Michigan State to 10 wins, including a blowout Holiday Bowl win over Washington State.

Before that, 2015 was the last truly impressive Michigan State offense that capped off an impressive three-year run in which the Spartans won the Rose Bowl, Cotton Bowl, and made the College Football Playoff.

But for the past three seasons, Michigan State’s offense has been flat-out ugly.

Quarterback play has been poor, the offensive line has been even worse, and the skill position players haven’t quite been up to par.

With Mel Tucker in town, the offense looks to be turning around.

Michigan State football’s offense has serious potential

From quarterback to receiver to running back to the offensive line, Michigan State finally has quality depth.

In 2020, Michigan State had Rocky Lombardi under center and now Anthony Russo, Payton Thorne, Noah Kim, and Hamp Fay make up the quarterback room.

Elijah Collins was hit hard by COVID-19 in 2020 and was a shell of himself and Jordon Simmons was the only running back with a pulse. But now Kenneth Walker, a healthy Collins, Simmons, Connor Heyward, and Harold Joiner will man the backfield. This running back room could be the best MSU has had in over a decade.

At receiver, Jalen Nailor, Ricky White, and Jayden Reed made up a talented trio who all showed flashes, but staying healthy and consistent was an issue. Now, they all look to return along with Maliq Carr, Keon Coleman, Christian Fitzpatrick, Ian Stewart, CJ Hayes, and Tre Mosley. The receiving corps is deeper than it’s been in about four years.

The line was bad in 2020. Heck, not even Chris Kapilovich could fix that disaster right away, but it got better and it will be even more impressive and deep in 2021. Jarrett Horst is the key new addition and Kevin Jarvis, JD Duplain, Nick Samac, Matt Carrick, Matt Allen, Luke Campbell, James Ohonba, and AJ Arcuri make up a solid veteran rotation. Add in the solid young guys and that’s a scary group.

And lastly, the tight end position will return a veteran Trenton Gillison and an improving Tyler Hunt along with Kameron Allen who the coaching staff has raved about this spring.

Jay Johnson has the pieces to turn Michigan State’s offense into a top-half of the Big Ten unit.

The Spartans may actually put points on the board this season. What a change of pace that would be.