Best Michigan State football players: Modern-era Mount Rushmore – From Lorenzo White to Charles Rogers

Lorenzo White, running back

Another player who starred during the George Perles era along with Snow was Lorenzo White. He was a senior on that 1987 Rose Bowl team that beat USC and had one heck of a career in East Lansing which led to him getting selected in the first round by the Houston Oilers in the 1988 NFL Draft.

Before his NFL days, he was arguably the best running back in Michigan State history and considering how much talent at that position has come through East Lansing, that’s some high praise.

Moreover, he was one of the few true Heisman Trophy candidates Michigan State has had in its history, finishing fourth in the voting in both 1985 as a sophomore and 1987 as a senior. He took advantage of playing in an era where the run game took center stage and passing was an afterthought, finishing his career with 4,887 yards and 43 rushing scores.

White is still Michigan State’s all-time leading rusher, a record that has stood for over 30 years and has the most rushing touchdowns in school history as well.

White’s 2,066 yards remains a school record and he followed that up with over 1,500 yards in 1987, leading Michigan State to a Rose Bowl victory.

As arguably the best running back in school history and a leader on one of the best teams Michigan State has ever had, White deserves a spot on the all-time Mount Rushmore as well — not just modern-day.