'Who wore it best' at Michigan State: No. 8

Ever see a number on a Michigan State football jersey and think of all the great players to wear it? Me, too. In this daily series, I’ll give you my take on which Spartan football player was the best ever to wear each number. The criteria are simple: How did he perform at MSU? And what kind of impact did he have on the program? Have your own take on “who wore it best”? You can vote in the poll at the bottom of the article.

No. 8 – Kirk Cousins

Quarterback, 2008-11, Holland, Michigan

Résumé

2008: 32-43 passing, 74.4 completion percentage, 310 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception          

2009: 198-328 passing, 60.4 completion percentage, 2,680 yards, 19 touchdowns, 9 interceptions

2010: 226-338 passing, 66.9 completion percentage, 2,825 yards, 20 touchdowns, 10 interceptions          

2011: 267-419 passing, 63.7 completion percentage, 3,316 yards, 25 touchdowns, 10 interceptions

Total: 723-1,128 passing, 64.1 completion percentage, 9,131 yards, 66 touchdowns, 30 interceptions

Why Cousins?

You don’t have to look deep into the numbers to realize Kirk Cousins is one of the most decorated players in Michigan State history. And he had to be for this list. When it comes to the No. 8, he has company in TJ (Todd) Duckett, Morten Andersen, Bobby McAllister and Brandon Fields, among others.

What sets Cousins apart is not only what he did at MSU, but the trends he started. The 6-foot-3, 202-pound signal caller from Holland was never a part of a team that lost to Michigan. He went to a bowl game all four years in East Lansing. He led the Spartans to the Big Ten title game during his senior season and capped his career with a triple-overtime win over Georgia in the Outback Bowl.

He helped put MSU back on the map.

Cousins saved his best performance for last. During his senior season, he broke the all-time single-season touchdown record with 25. He completed 267 passes that season, which is still the second-best performance in program history. Cousins is No. 2 in passing yards at MSU with 9,131 and tied with Connor Cook for the most starts in program history with 39. He was 27-12 as a starter in Mark Dantonio’s offense.

Cousins was selected by the Redskins in the fourth round of the 2012 NFL draft. This past offseason, Cousins hit the free-agent market where he became the Vikings’ new signal caller and the highest-paid quarterback in NFL history.

Who else wore No. 8?

TJ Duckett (TB/LB, 1999-01), Morten Andersen (K, 1978-81), Brandon Fields (P, 2003-06), Paul Griffeth (G, 1938-40), William Johnson (HB/ end, 1920-22), Frank Kolch (QB, 1971), Bobby McAllister (QB, 1985-88), Norbert Miknavih (C, 1936-37), Hans Nielsen (K, 1974-77), Reginald Oas (HB, 1917), Napoleon Outlaw (WR, 1992-95), Lawrence Thomas (DT/FB, 2012-15), Ralph Truitt (QB, 1998)

Contact Cody Tucker at (517) 377-1070 or cjtucker@lsj.com and follow him on Twitter @CodyTucker_LSJ.

MORE ON KIRK COUSINS:
* Dantonio calls Kirk Cousins his best Spartan, sees same traits in new QB Brian Lewerke
* Spartans in the pros: Redskins' Cousins shines in prime time
* 2018 NFL free agency preview: Drew Brees, Kirk Cousins top QB class
* Kirk Cousins officially signs three-year, $84 million deal with Minnesota Vikings