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Michigan State Football: Predicting each statistical category leader for 2022

By Connor Muldowney

Sep 25, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Xavier Henderson (3) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 25, 2021; East Lansing, Michigan, USA; Michigan State Spartans safety Xavier Henderson (3) celebrates after a play during the first quarter against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) reacts after catching the go ahead touchdown pass over Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back M.J. Devonshire (12) during the fourth quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 30, 2021; Atlanta, GA, USA; Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Jayden Reed (1) reacts after catching the go ahead touchdown pass over Pittsburgh Panthers defensive back M.J. Devonshire (12) during the fourth quarter during the 2021 Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-USA TODAY Sports /

Receiving yards: Jayden Reed

Receiving is where things get a little tougher to predict. The Spartans bring back an All-American candidate in Jayden Reed along with Tre Mosley and rising star Keon Coleman. Not only that, but they bring in Germie Bernard, Antonio Gates Jr., and Tyrell Henry in the 2022 class and they could all have an impact right away.

But my prediction for actual receiving yards as Payton Thorne’s top target has to be Reed. The two have an outstanding connection and Reed had over 1,000 receiving yards last year and is going to build on that as a serious Biletnikoff candidate.

I could see Reed pushing for the Big Ten Receiver of the Year award.

Receiving touchdowns: Keon Coleman

This might be a little surprising, but Coleman’s confidence has to count for something. And any time Michigan State football’s official Twitter account has posted highlights, it seems like Coleman is catching touchdown passes and making defenders look silly.

Coleman is a bigger-bodied receiver and he’s going to be a problem in the red zone and he’s not going to be easy to bring down.

I could see him breaking 10 touchdown catches this year.

Receptions: Jayden Reed

Clearly the No. 1 target is going to lead the team in receptions and that’s Reed. He had 59 receptions last year and I could see him easily topping that this season.

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