Despite Kenneth Walker III’s success carrying the football on the ground for the Michigan State Spartans last season, the team managed to have a great air attack in 2021 as well. In fact, quarterback Payton Thorne set the school record for passing touchdowns in a season with 27 (passing Kirk Cousins’ 25 from 2011).
Jayden Reed emerged as the star wide receiver he was projected to be and had a special chemistry with that produced many highlight-reel plays and some spectacular moments in 2021 (Hey! Did you know that they played high school football together?!).
However, Michigan State also lost a key veteran presence in Jalen Nailor who declared for the NFL Draft this past offseason and was eventually selected by the Minnesota Vikings.