Rumor: MSU starting WR/returner Jalen Nailor out for the year

Submitted by Bambi on September 5th, 2019 at 6:35 PM

Link to a Reddit post with some supporting tweets. 

Nothing definitive yet but it looks like MSU SO WR Jalen Nailor may be out for the year (he was listed as on the WMU depth chart released Tuesday so we'll see). Nailor was listed as one of 3 starting WRs against Tulsa. He had 3 catches for 5 yards against Tulsa. Those 3 catches were tied for second on the team in the game and he was one of 4 receivers to catch a pass.

Nailor was also listed as the team's starting PR/KR and had 2 kick returns for 51 yards along with 2 punt returns for 17 yards against Tulsa. This is the second big blow to MSU special teams this week as their starting long snapper is out for the year, replaced by a true freshman walk-on.

Nailor was 8th in receiving yards last year for MSU (8 catches for 138 yards and 2 TDs) and 7th in scrimmage yards (an additional 9 rushes for 128 yards and 1 TD) as a freshman. His 3 TDs from scrimmage were tied for 3rd on the team last year and his 15.6 yards per touch was second behind Felton Davis. A lot was expected from Nailor for MSU as a sophomore with 2 of the guys ahead of him in scrimmage yards (Davis and Scott) gone as well.

 

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Larry Appleton

September 5th, 2019 at 6:58 PM ^

And yet, let’s hope this young man has a full recovery and can continue to play the sport he loves.

If he happens to transfer before playing again, all the better.

Joined: 05/15/2014

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Logan88

September 5th, 2019 at 6:57 PM ^

He had 3 catches for 5 yards against Tulsa.

  1. Read sentence.
  2. Read again assuming I have misread.
  3. Remember this is a player for MSU's offense.
  4. Think to myself, "Sounds about right".

Joined: 01/05/2009

MGoPoints: 8078

NeverPunt

September 5th, 2019 at 7:13 PM ^

I normally don't pay too much attention to MSU until we play them but after the MGoPodcast where they discussed this game I had to look. Against last year's 96th ranked defense (Tulsa) according to S&P+, MSU had meaningful drives (excluding end of half and end of game) of:

  • 73 yards resulting in a TD
  • 38 yards and turned over on downs
  • 9 yards and a punt
  • 4 yards  and a FG
  • -8 yards and a FG
  • 45 yards and turned over on downs
  • 4 yards and a FG
  • -2 yards and a punt
  • 73 yards and a FG
  • 1 yard and a punt
  • 24 yards and a punt
  • 1 yard and a punt

Their offense mustered 19 points on 12 meaningful drives and three of their FGs that accounts for 9 of their points came on drives that netted a total of zero yards.

{shudders}

Joined: 03/26/2019

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spider-sal

September 5th, 2019 at 6:57 PM ^

Anybody have an idea of depth at that position? I’m no expert on their roster but I’m guessing it’s not great. They had Rison and another good WR transfer out not too long ago, and their recruiting has been terrible the last 2/3 years. 

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SpartanInA2

September 5th, 2019 at 7:07 PM ^

He was the starting slot receiver, and probably biggest big-play threat because of his speed. His replacement will be Laress Nelson who showed some promise last year when he wasn't hurt. Doesn't have the same top-end speed as Nailor but he'll be ok. This really hurts the return game though. He was the punt returner and actually looked decent at it. Now the punt returner will likely be Cody White which is not ideal.

Joined: 03/20/2019

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Bambi

September 5th, 2019 at 7:09 PM ^

I could very well be wrong but I think it's a position of relative strength for them. Relative being compared to the rest of their offense obviously where OL is already a tire fire and RB is a bunch of below mediocrity.

At WR they have Cody White who's a solid player and then a solid pile of mediocrity. No one seems to be any good, but they have a bunch of guys who are meh, which is better than the rest of their offense. If anyone was going to emerge this year though it would have been Nailor. He was their most explosive player last year as a true freshman and now he's done.

Joined: 10/12/2013

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rainingmaize

September 5th, 2019 at 7:29 PM ^

Look, no offense to Jalen, I'm sure he has talent and is a good kid, but I don't think the loss of his 5 yards is going to make a difference in our game this year. 

Joined: 04/13/2010

MGoPoints: 10458

Bodogblog

September 5th, 2019 at 7:32 PM ^

This will allow MSU to push the "so many injuries" narrative which is really what the sports programs at that school have prioritized over the last several years. 

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BBQJeff

September 5th, 2019 at 7:34 PM ^

I just checked RCMB and they have a thread going on this.

Yes, he's broken his foot and is likely out for the season.

Sucks for him and their team.   He showed flashes last year as a true freshman and was expected to break out this year.  

This is where recruiting comes into play.  Recruit well and the team has depth.   On offense, Sparty has no depth.   This is a blow to their already anemic offense.   

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