Michigan State's LJ Scott won't make NFL decision until after bowl game

EAST LANSING — LJ Scott admits he has been thinking about turning pro a year early. However, the Michigan State junior running back said he won’t make a decision about whether or not to enter the 2018 NFL draft until after the Spartans’ turnaround season finishes.

“I’m gonna give it until maybe after the bowl game to have a chance to look back at this season and look at my mistakes,” Scott said after practice Tuesday. “Basically, from me watching that film from Game 1 and looking at my mistakes, that’ll probably determine my mind-set and where I’m at right now to get myself to be able to perfect my craft. If it’s not really where I want it to be, then I’ll stay another year. …

“I’m sure everything will work out in God’s hands. If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen.”

Scott jumped into 12th place all-time on MSU’s career rushing list with 147 yards on a career-high 29 carries in Saturday’s 17-7 win over Maryland.

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“This was a very effective game for him and it’s a good point to launch from,” MSU coach Mark Dantonio said after the game.

The Spartans (8-3, 6-2 Big Ten) wrap up the regular season Saturday at Rutgers (4 p.m., Fox), then learn their postseason future in the days afterward.

Scott has 731 yards and six touchdowns on 164 carries this season, but he also has fumbled five times and lost four.

The 6-foot-1, 229-pound Hubbard, Ohio, native said it did not cross his mind that last Saturday might have been his final game at Spartan Stadium.

“Right now, I’m just focused on the moment,” Scott said. “I just try to take that as much as coach D emphasizes to focus on the moment, focus on the game. And whatever comes, whatever falls into place, is meant to be.”

For his career, Scott has rushed for 2,424 yards and 23 scores. He has fumbled 10 times in 494 career carries in three seasons.

“It’s just myself, really, about how I feel and what’s best for me because I’ll be in that situation,” Scott said. “I’ll be doing this for however long. But I kind of just lean on myself. Up until this point, I haven’t made a bad decision. And my mother, she’s always supporting anything I do. I don’t think there’s any doubt in her mind that I won’t make a bad decision.”

Contact Chris Solari: csolari@freepress.com. Follow him on Twitter @chrissolari.

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