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Michigan State football: Does LJ Scott become a star running back in the pros?

Tom Brew

By Tom Brew

Published:

LJ Scott had some huge decisions to make this month. The talented running back made a big one — to come back to Michigan State for another year — and then made an even bigger decision a few days later to instead turn pro despite being eligible to come back to East Lansing.

With his plan in place, Scott made the decision to play in the Spartans’ Redbox Bowl game against Oregon on Dec. 31. It’s his swan song, his farewell.

It’s also his one last chance to make an impression on NFL scouts.

Scott missed eight games this season because of an ankle injury, and it ruined what was supposed to be his standout senior season. It started well with an 84-yard rushing game in the season opener against Utah State, one that also included 3 receptions for another 57 yards.

But he couldn’t make it through the Arizona State game and then four straight games while trying to get healthy. He came back for the Michigan game — he wasn’t about to miss that, healthy or not — but was clear he wasn’t himself. He gained just 25 yards on 10 carries and had only 52 yards on 15 carries the following week against Purdue before having to leave again.

He probably could have played in the final few games of the regular season, but the NCAA’s new redshirt rule came into play. Since Scott had played only four games, he could have returned in 2019. That was a the plan, for a little while. Then he changed his mind, and opted to turn pro.

He leaves behind an interesting Michigan State career. He was the team’s leading rusher for three straight years and will be remembered forever for scoring the game-winning touchdown in the final minute of the 2015 Big Ten Championship Game against Iowa.

 

He was a fan favorite, a 4-star recruit from Ohio who spurned Ohio State and other high-profile programs to come to East Lansing. He was the team’s leading rusher in his very first game and was a key piece of their offense from 2015 through 2017.

Michigan State has had a lot of great college running backs, but most of them — outside of Le’Veon Bell of the Pittsburgh Steelers — have been busts in the pros. Guys like Javon Ringer and Jeremy Langford never amounted to much, despite their great college careers.

That’s what makes Scott an interesting prospect in this NFL draft. Scott is 6-foot and 225 pounds. He doesn’t have great speed, but there are a lot of scouts who think he might be quicker if he played 10 or 15 pounds lighter. That’s what Bell did, and he’s made millions.

Scott has had his share of legal issues in East Lansing, and he’s done enough to turn some of the fan base, too. He’ll probably be a mid-round pick in the spring, unless someone takes a flyer on his and reaches up a round or two earlier.

That’s where he might benefit from a Bell comparison. He’s a hard runner, and he doesn’t go down easily. He’s good out of the backfield, and has good hands. Running behind a good offensive line, something he didn’t have the opportunity to do in East Lansing, would show a lot.

So, there’s one more game to enjoy LJ Scott before he goes. Sure, he’s been a headache at times, but he’s been a solid performer for Michigan State for four years. One last goodbye is a good thing.

Tom Brew

Tom Brew has been a recognized reporter in Big Ten sports for decades. Among other projects, he writes about Big Ten football for Saturday Tradition.