EAST LANSING - When Brian Lewerke was a freshman, he watched and learned.
Led by fifth-year senior quarterback Connor Cook, Michigan State marched to a Big Ten championship and a spot in the College Football Playoff in 2015.
The following year, Lewerke earned playing time as part of a three-quarterback rotation. But, he was still an underclassman and knew it wasn't his place to order others around as the Spartans plummeted to a 3-9 finish.
Lewerke, who had a breakout season while helping Michigan State rebound to a 10-3 record last year, is now a redshirt junior and the unquestioned leader of the quarterbacks.