EAST LANSING -- As Michigan State's scout team quarterback in 2017, Rocky Lombardi had the benefit of practicing daily against a defense that finished in the top 10 nationally in total defense. That experience, he said, "definitely made me better every day."
But there was one big drawback to that position, as well.
"I wasn't running our plays," Lombardi said.
The scout team is tasked with preparing Michigan State's starters for each week's opponent. As its quarterback, Lombardi was tasked with learning someone else's offense and mimicking it throughout practice.
Lombardi still spent his time off the field learning to master Michigan State's playbook.