Chris Solari

Lansing State Journal

EAST LANSING – Jeremy Langford entered the NFL much like he did at Michigan State, hoping to prove himself while stuck behind established stars.

It didn’t take him nearly as long to become a pivotal part of the Chicago Bears’ future.

The Bears let veteran Matt Forte go after his contract expired following last season, leaving Langford as their top option at running back heading into his second training camp. And the former MSU star hopes to build upon a strong rookie season in more of a starring role.

“I feel like everything I’ve been through (at MSU), the stuff I’ve been through in the NFL can’t really faze me. I’ve been through it all,” Langford said Friday before coaching at the Spartan Elite camp. “It’s going back to the same mindset I had when I was here to get that starting running back spot – just keep my head straight, keep working hard and do what I can control.”

The 6-foot, 211-pound Langford proved to be a versatile force last season for Chicago, carrying the ball 148 times for 537 yards and six touchdowns while also catching 22 passes for 279 yards. He had an 83-yard touchdown catch on a screen pass against the Rams.

“Really, you got to earn their trust. It’s a what-have-you-done-for-me-lately league,” Langford said. “I had an all right year last year. So this year, I’m just going in to be better than I was last year, catch the ball a lot better than I did last year. Really just prove to the coaches and the Bears fans that I can be that guy and be an every-down back.”

At MSU, Langford began his college career as a running back, then moved to wide receiver and cornerback before taking over the tailback job in 2013 and finishing with 27 straight starts. He produced back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and finished eighth all-time with 2,967 rushing yards and second in school history with 40 career touchdowns.

The 24-year-old will compete for carries later this summer with returning backs Ka'Deem Carey and veteran Jacquizz Rodgers, as well as Bears fifth-round pick Jordan Howard. Chicago’s coaches are hoping Langford can work on the subtleties of the positional demands at the pro level.

“He’s got the skill set, I promise you,” Bears running backs coach Stan Drayton told the Chicago Tribune. “He’s got the self-motivation to get it done, so I’m really expecting him to step that up."

Langford also is keeping a close eye on the Spartan running backs who replaced him. He said LJ Scott looked good as a freshman last season, but he added that “all of those guys are really good.” He thinks the competition between Scott, Gerald Holmes and Madre London this fall will help push them to be better.

He said his own battles for playing time in five seasons at MSU prepared him for his pro future.

“When you go to the NFL as a Spartan, I feel like they know what they’re getting,” Langford said. “They get blue-collar guys who work hard, who you know have been in school for five years and earned every second of their playing time.”

Contact Chris Solari at (517) 377-1070 or csolari@lsj.com.