Michigan State Football: 3 reasons to pick Brian Lewerke in 2020 NFL Draft
![NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Quarterback Brian Lewerke #14 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the first half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/54481ae73c9b71cc1bd1785cbe178f377acb72937946e2106ad460759d3b7268.jpg)
Michigan State football didn’t have the best 2019 season and Brian Lewerke had an up-and-down career, but here’s why NFL teams should draft him.
Brian Lewerke set multiple school records as the starting quarterback at Michigan State for the past three seasons.
While he had up-and-down play throughout his career, here are a few reasons why an NFL team should draft Lewerke.
3. Experience
One thing that a lot of quarterbacks in this draft class have in common is their experience. The majority of them are at least two-year starters with a fair amount of them being three-plus years as the starter. Brian Lewerke is one of the guys who has been the starter for his team for three seasons.
While Lewerke’s career was somewhat of an up and down one, he still finished at Michigan State ranked first in total offensive yards. He came onto the scene in 2017, his sophomore season, and had a great sophomore season as he had 25 total touchdowns, seven interceptions, 2,793 yards through the air and 559 yards on the ground.
His 2017 season had him regarded as one of the top quarterbacks in the Big Ten entering the 2018 season. He battled injuries in 2018 and missed playing time as well, however, he still showed his toughness. Lewerke’s 2019 season he showed glimpses of the quarterback he could be as he threw for over 3,000 yards, but also threw 13 interceptions which was a career high.
Ultimately, Lewerke never lived up to what people thought he was going to be after his 2017 season, but that shouldn’t be placed all on him as he has shown time and time again he has what it takes for an NFL to draft him. His experience in one of the toughest divisions in college football won’t be overlooked by NFL scouts. It’s easy to forget that Lewerke had to face Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State every year being in the Big Ten East.
So yes, Lewerke was inconsistent and his play was up and down, but his experience is a valuable trait that NFL teams will love. He has the mental makeup that you can only get through experience — experience that has seen success and failures.
All it takes is one NFL team that sees something they want to try to develop.