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Michigan State Football: How will Spartans look in Mel Tucker’s 2nd season?

By Jackson Caudell

Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the spring football game on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210424 Msu Spring Game 222a
Michigan State's head coach Mel Tucker looks on during the spring football game on Saturday, April 24, 2021, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing.210424 Msu Spring Game 222a /
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Payton Thorne, Michigan State Football. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports
Payton Thorne, Michigan State Football. Mandatory Credit: Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports /

Quarterback competition headlines questions on offense

It has been a struggle for Michigan State on the offensive side of the ball for some time now and those struggles probably will continue in 2021 if it cannot find playmakers.

The quarterback job is going to come down to Payton Thorne or Temple transfer Anthony Russo. Thorne started only one game for Michigan State last season and played in some mop-up duty and looked solid at times. Russo has 26 career starts and probably has more arm talent than Thorne and could give the Spartans a higher ceiling on offense. This is the position that Michigan State has to figure out if they want to start contending for the Big Ten title again.

The running game will be led by Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III who rushed for 1,158 yards and 20 touchdowns in two seasons for the Demon Deacons and will be counted on to help carry the offense while the quarterback battle is being settled.

The receivers have some experience and the top two guys, Jalen Nailor and Jayden Reed form one of the better duos in the Big Ten. They are both speedy players that can get open and make plays down the field and they are two guys that either quarterback will be glad to have on their team. Tre Mosley is another receiver to watch and Tyler Hunt should step in at tight end.

Michigan State used to be known to have some of the top offensive lines in the Big Ten, but that has not been the case as of late and it probably is not going to change this season, despite the Spartans bringing back four starters. Michigan State did add Arkansas State transfer tackle Jarrett Horst up front and he could help patch things up.

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