5. L.J. Scott, the next great MSU running back
If you haven’t heard the name L.J. Scott yet, you should get familiar. As a true freshman in 2015, he rushed for 699 yards and 11 touchdowns, leading the Spartans despite splitting carries with both Madre London and Gerald Holmes. It was a running back by committee type season for Michigan State, but don’t expect that in 2016.
Both London and Holmes definitely have the talent to start for the Spartans, but unfortunately for them, Scott is standing right in the way of that.
Coming out of Hubbard High School (Ohio) in 2015, Scott was one of the most highly-touted prospects in the country. The big, bruising running back isn’t just powerful, but he’s also quick-footed and elusive, when he needs to be.
In the Big Ten title game against Iowa last season, the Spartans engineered a 20-plus play drive and Scott had the majority of carries, capping it off with a game-winning touchdown in which he fought through three defenders to reach the ball over the goal-line with about 30 seconds left.
When handed the reigns to the backfield, Scott will run wild. That’s going to happen this season and he could end up being the best running back in the Dantonio era — yes, even better than Le’Veon Bell or Jeremy Langford.
Next: 4. Improved secondary