Michigan State football has a rich history dating over a century filled with legendary players — from the MAC days and the days of Biggie Munn and Duffy Daugherty all the way to the stellar run of Mark Dantonio and the modern era of Mel Tucker.
If you could make a roster of every great player to put on the green and white, you could make quite a formidable roster, and that’s what we are doing here at Spartans Wire. Below, you can find Michigan State’s all-time offensive roster, with starters and backups for each position.
Read more about Michigan State athletics at Spartans Wire.
Check out our other College Wire all-time lineups: Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Clemson / Colorado / Florida / Georgia / Iowa / LSU / Michigan / Nebraska / North Carolina / Notre Dame / Ohio State / Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee / Texas / Texas A&M / USC / Wisconsin
Starting QB: Connor Cook
Connor Cook was never able to transition his talents to the NFL, but he will go down as one of the best Big Ten quarterbacks in recent history and, we think, the best QB in MSU history.
Backup QB: Kirk Cousins
Kirk Cousins came to MSU as an unheralded three-star quarterback but soon lit the Big Ten on fire, throwing for 1,128 yards and 66 touchdowns for the Spartans.
Starting RB: Lorenzo White
Who else? Even with all of the great names to run the ball for MSU, White still holds the record for the most yards and the most touchdowns in program history.
Backup RB: Kenneth Walker III
This one will definitely be controversial since Walker only played one season with MSU, but it was one of the most exciting single seasons in program history. Other names to consider at this spot are Javon Ringer, TJ Duckett, Sedrick Irvin and Jeremy Langford.
Starting WR1: Charles Rogers
From 2001-02, Charles Rogers was possibly the greatest wide receiver on the planet, and remarkably, even after a short stint with MSU, he somehow still holds the touchdown record for wideouts with 27.
Backup WR1: Andre Rison
For 20 years, Andre Rison held the MSU receiving record, a crazy feat considering the era he played in, and he’s one of the first people you think of when you think about great MSU receivers.
Starting WR2: Plaxico Burress
Plaxico, like Charles Rogers, also had a short stint at MSU before going pro, so it’s equally remarkable to see him in the top 10 in receiving touchdowns and yards, but that’s the kind of player he was.
Backup WR2: Kirk Gibson
Before he switched to baseball, Kirk Gibson was the all-time leader in receiving touchdowns for MSU, and he still sits No. 3 on that list.
Starting WR3: Gene Washington
Coming from another era, Washington’s stats might not stack up with other Spartan receivers, but it’s undeniable that he is one of the most prolific and iconic receivers in MSU history.
Backup WR3: Courtney Hawkins
The Spartans’ current WR coach was also the first wideout to record 1,000 yards for MSU back in 1989.
Starting TE: Billy Joe DuPree
DuPree might not have the crazy stats, but it’s pretty clear he was the best tight end in MSU history, and he was named a first-team All-American back in 1972 before becoming one of the best tight ends in the NFL in the 1970s.
Backup TE: Chris Baker
Chris Baker has the best stats of any MSU tight end and still sits in the top 20 in terms of receiving yards and touchdowns.
Starting C: Dan Currie
Dan Currie was an All-American in 1957 and is famous for being one of the meanest players in MSU history. He was the best player on MSU’s stellar 1957 team that finished No. 3.
Backup C: Brian Allen
Before he won a Super Bowl with the Rams, Brian Allen was a perennial All-Big Ten selection and a huge part of the success of the mid-2010s MSU offense.
Starting G1: Ed Budde
Ed Budde is perhaps best remembered for being a perennial All-Pro player in the NFL, but he was also a huge reason for the success of running backs Sherm Lewis and George Saimes.
Backup G1: Sid Wagner
This is a huge throwback, but Sid Wagner was a consensus All-American guard back in 1935.
Starting G2: Joe DeLamielleure
Joe DeLamielleure has his handprints all over history, helping Eric Allen rush for 350 yards against Purdue, and leading the way for O.J. Simpson to rush for 273 yards in a game in 1973.
Backup G2: Ed Bagdon
Ed Bagdon is the only Michigan State football lineman to win the Outland Trophy, given to the best interior offensive lineman in the league.
Starting T1: Flozell Adams
Flozell Adams was an All-American and earned Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year while at MSU, and went on to have a successful career in the NFL.
Backup T1: Tony Mandarich
Tony Mandarich never panned out in the NFL, but he was a monster while at MSU. He was an All-American and won Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year twice as a Spartan.
Starting T2: Jack Conklin
As you probably know, Jack Conklin went from a walk-on to first-round NFL draft pick. That alone shows the type of career he had at MSU.
Backup T2: Don Coleman
Don Coleman was a 5-foot-10, 185-pound offensive tackle, and he was the clear best player on the undefeated 1951 team.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
