Michigan State Football: Report card from first month of 2021 season

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Michigan State’s Jayden Reed, left, celebrates with Connor Heyward after Hayward’s catch against Nebraska during the second quarter on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210925 Msu Nebraska 183a /

Receivers/Tight Ends: A-

Michigan State has one of the best receiver rooms in the Big Ten this season and the addition of Connor Heyward to the tight end group has helped tremendously.

Jayden Reed is one of the best receivers in the conference and he’s off to a scorching start. He leads the team with 16 catches for 336 yards and four touchdowns this year and he even added a huge punt return touchdown against Nebraska which saved the Spartans. Oh, and he’s also rushed for a touchdown. Reed has score in every way imaginable and he needs to be considered a Big Ten Receiver of the Year candidate.

Tre Mosley has been a nice surprise this season as the team’s second-leading receiver in Ricky White’s place. He has 13 catches for 193 yards on the year.

Jalen Nailor and Payton Thorne haven’t quite been on the same page this season but hopefully that changes soon. He has 10 catches for 141 yards and three touchdowns.

The aforementioned Heyward has eight catches for 116 yards and he’s been a major bright spot both in the pass and run games. He’s going to be a key player moving forward.

This group is deep, but we haven’t quite seen that yet.

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