# Michigan State Spartans football statistical leaders

The Michigan State Spartans football statistical leaders are individual statistical leaders of the Michigan State Spartans football program in various categories, including passing, rushing, total offense, receiving, defensive stats, kicking, and scoring. Within those areas, the lists identify single-game, Single season and career leaders. The Spartans represent Michigan State University in the NCAA's Big Ten Conference.
Although Michigan State began competing in intercollegiate football in 1896, the school's official record book considers the "modern era" to have begun in 1945. Records from before this year are often incomplete and inconsistent, and they are generally not included in these lists.
These lists are dominated by more recent players for several reasons:
* Since 1945, seasons have increased from 10 games to 11 and then 12 games in length.
* The NCAA didn't allow freshmen to play varsity football until 1972 (with the exception of the World War II years), allowing players to have four-year careers.
* Bowl games only began counting toward single-season and career statistics in 2002. The Spartans have played in 10 bowl games since then.
* Similarly, the Spartans have played in the Big Ten Championship Game three times since it began in 2011, so players in those seasons had 14 games to accumulate statistics.
* Due to COVID-19 disruptions, the NCAA ruled that the 2020 season would not be counted against any football player's athletic eligibility, giving players active in that season five years of eligibility instead of the standard four.
These lists are updated through Michigan State's game against Ohio State on November 20, 2021.

## Passing
### Passing yards

Career :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | Connor Cook | 9,194 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 2 | Kirk Cousins | 9,131 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 3 | Jeff Smoker | 8,932 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 4 | Brian Lewerke | 8,293 | 2016 2017 2018 2019 |
| 5 | Drew Stanton | 6,524 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 6 | Payton Thorne | 6,501 | 2020 2021 2022 |
| 7 | Brian Hoyer | 6,159 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 8 | Dave Yarema | 5,809 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
| 9 | Ed Smith | 5,706 | 1976 1977 1978 |
| 10 | Bill Burke | 5,463 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Jeff Smoker | 3,395 | 2003 |
| 2 | Kirk Cousins | 3,316 | 2011 |
| 3 | Payton Thorne | 3,240 | 2021 |
| 4 | Connor Cook | 3,214 | 2014 |
| 5 | Connor Cook | 3,131 | 2015 |
| 6 | Brian Lewerke | 3,079 | 2019 |
| 7 | Drew Stanton | 3,077 | 2005 |
| 8 | Kirk Cousins | 2,825 | 2010 |
| 9 | Brian Lewerke | 2,793 | 2017 |
| 10 | Connor Cook | 2,755 | 2013 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Brian Lewerke | 445 | 2017 | Northwestern |
| 2 | Bill Burke | 400 | 1999 | Michigan |
| | Brian Lewerke | 400 | 2017 | Penn State |
| 4 | Connor Cook | 398 | 2015 | Indiana |
| 5 | Jeff Smoker | 376 | 2001 | Fresno State |
| 6 | Ed Smith | 369 | 1978 | Indiana |
| 7 | Connor Cook | 367 | 2015 | Rutgers |
| 8 | Aidan Chiles | 363 | 2024 | Maryland |
| 9 | Jim Miller | 360 | 1993 | Ohio State |
| 10 | Connor Cook | 358 | 2014 | Ohio State |

### Passing touchdowns

Career :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Connor Cook | 71 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 2 | Kirk Cousins | 66 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 3 | Jeff Smoker | 61 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 4 | Payton Thorne | 49 | 2020 2021 2022 |
| 5 | Brian Lewerke | 47 | 2016 2017 2018 2019 |
| 6 | Bill Burke | 46 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
| 7 | Dave Yarema | 44 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
| 8 | Ed Smith | 43 | 1976 1977 1978 |
| 9 | Drew Stanton | 42 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 10 | Brian Hoyer | 35 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Payton Thorne | 27 | 2021 |
| 2 | Kirk Cousins | 25 | 2011 |
| 3 | Connor Cook | 24 | 2014 |
| | Connor Cook | 24 | 2015 |
| 5 | Drew Stanton | 22 | 2005 |
| | Connor Cook | 22 | 2013 |
| 7 | Jeff Smoker | 21 | 2001 |
| | Jeff Smoker | 21 | 2003 |
| 9 | Ed Smith | 20 | 1978 |
| | Bill Burke | 20 | 1999 |
| | Brian Hoyer | 20 | 2007 |
| | Kirk Cousins | 20 | 2010 |
| | Brian Lewerke | 20 | 2017 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Drew Stanton | 5 | 2005 | Illinois |
| 2 | Brian Lewerke | 4 | 2017 | Northwestern |
| | Mike Rasmussen | 4 | 1970 | Indiana |
| | Ed Smith | 4 | 1978 | Wisconsin |
| | Bill Burke | 4 | 1998 | Central Michigan |
| | Bill Burke | 4 | 1999 | Iowa |
| | Damon Dowdell | 4 | 2002 | Indiana |
| | Jeff Smoker | 4 | 2003 | Penn State |
| | Brian Hoyer | 4 | 2007 | Notre Dame |
| | Brian Hoyer | 4 | 2007 | Penn State |
| | Connor Cook | 4 | 2013 | Youngstown State |
| | Connor Cook | 4 | 2015 | Air Force |
| | Connor Cook | 4 | 2015 | Indiana |
| | Connor Cook | 4 | 2015 | Nebraska |
| | Payton Thorne | 4 | 2021 | Youngstown State |
| | Payton Thorne | 4 | 2021 | Miami (FL) |
| | Payton Thorne | 4 | 2021 | Maryland |
| | Payton Thorne | 4 | 2022 | Western Michigan |

## Rushing
### Rushing yards

Career :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | Lorenzo White | 4,887 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 2 | Javon Ringer | 4,398 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 3 | Tico Duckett | 4,212 | 1989 1990 1991 1992 |
| 4 | Blake Ezor | 3,749 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
| 5 | Sedrick Irvin | 3,504 | 1996 1997 1998 |
| 6 | T. J. Duckett | 3,379 | 1999 2000 2001 |
| 7 | Le'Veon Bell | 3,346 | 2010 2011 2012 |
| 8 | Jeremy Langford | 2,967 | 2012 2013 2014 |
| 9 | Duane Goulbourne | 2,848 | 1992 1993 1994 1996 |
| 10 | LJ Scott | 2,771 | 2015 2016 2017 2018 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Lorenzo White | 2,066 | 1985 |
| 2 | Le'Veon Bell | 1,793 | 2012 |
| 3 | Javon Ringer | 1,673 | 2008 |
| 4 | Kenneth Walker III | 1,636 | 2021 |
| 5 | Lorenzo White | 1,572 | 1987 |
| 6 | Jeremy Langford | 1,522 | 2014 |
| 7 | Blake Ezor | 1,496 | 1988 |
| 8 | Eric Allen | 1,494 | 1971 |
| 9 | Javon Ringer | 1,447 | 2007 |
| 10 | Jeremy Langford | 1,422 | 2013 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Eric Allen | 350 | 1971 | Purdue |
| 2 | Lorenzo White | 292 | 1987 | Indiana |
| 3 | Lorenzo White | 286 | 1985 | Indiana |
| 4 | Javon Ringer | 282 | 2008 | Florida Atlantic |
| 5 | Clinton Jones | 268 | 1966 | Iowa |
| 6 | Le'Veon Bell | 266 | 2012 | Minnesota |
| 7 | Kenneth Walker III | 264 | 2021 | Northwestern |
| 8 | Le'Veon Bell | 253 | 2012 | Eastern Michigan |
| 9 | Blake Ezor | 250 | 1988 | Indiana |
| 10 | T. J. Duckett | 248 | 2000 | Iowa |

### Rushing touchdowns

Career :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Lorenzo White | 43 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 2 | Jeremy Langford | 40 | 2012 2013 2014 |
| 3 | Jehuu Caulcrick | 39 | 2004 2005 2006 2007 |
| 4 | Sedrick Irvin | 35 | 1996 1997 1998 |
| 5 | Javon Ringer | 34 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| | Blake Ezor | 34 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
| 7 | Le'Veon Bell | 33 | 2010 2011 2012 |
| 8 | T. J. Duckett | 29 | 1999 2000 2001 |
| 9 | Eric Allen | 28 | 1969 1970 1971 |
| | Lynn Chandnois | 28 | 1946 1947 1948 1949 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Javon Ringer | 22 | 2008 |
| | Jeremy Langford | 22 | 2014 |
| 3 | Jehuu Caulcrick | 21 | 2007 |
| 4 | Blake Ezor | 19 | 1989 |
| 5 | Jeremy Langford | 18 | 2013 |
| | Eric Allen | 18 | 1971 |
| | Kenneth Walker III | 18 | 2021 |
| 8 | Scott Greene | 17 | 1995 |
| | Lorenzo White | 17 | 1985 |
| 10 | Sedrick Irvin | 16 | 1996 |
| | Lorenzo White | 16 | 1987 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Blake Ezor | 6 | 1989 | Northwestern |
| 2 | Javon Ringer | 5 | 2008 | Eastern Michigan |
| | Kenneth Walker III | 5 | 2021 | Michigan |

## Receiving
### Receptions

Career :
| Rank | Player | Rec | Years |
| 1 | B.J. Cunningham | 218 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 2 | Aaron Burbridge | 165 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 3 | Darrell Stewart Jr. | 150 | 2016 2017 2018 2019 |
| 4 | Tony Lippett | 149 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 5 | Matt Trannon | 148 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 6 | Jayden Reed | 147 | 2020 2021 2022 |
| 7 | Andre Rison | 146 | 1985 1986 1987 1988 |
| 8 | Cody White | 143 | 2017 2018 2019 |
| 9 | Courtney Hawkins | 138 | 1988 1989 1990 1991 |
| 10 | Charles Rogers | 135 | 2001 2002 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | Rec | Year |
| 1 | Aaron Burbridge | 85 | 2015 |
| 2 | B.J. Cunningham | 79 | 2011 |
| | Devin Thomas | 79 | 2007 |
| 4 | Blair White | 70 | 2009 |
| 5 | Charles Rogers | 68 | 2002 |
| 6 | Charles Rogers | 67 | 2001 |
| 7 | Keshawn Martin | 66 | 2011 |
| | Plaxico Burress | 66 | 1999 |
| | Cody White | 66 | 2019 |
| 10 | Plaxico Burress | 65 | 1998 |
| | Tony Lippett | 65 | 2014 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | Rec | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Matt Trannon | 14 | 2006 | Eastern Michigan |
| 2 | Devin Thomas | 13 | 2007 | Indiana |
| | Plaxico Burress | 13 | 2000 | Florida |
| 4 | Felton Davis III | 12 | 2017 | Penn State |
| | B.J. Cunningham | 12 | 2011 | Notre Dame |
| | Blair White | 12 | 2009 | Northwestern |
| | Mitch Lyons | 12 | 1992 | Michigan |
| 8 | Kerry Reed | 11 | 2006 | Minnesota |
| | Josh Keur | 11 | 1997 | Northwestern |
| | Andre Rison | 11 | 1986 | Indiana |
| | Tony Lippett | 11 | 2014 | Oregon |
| | Jayden Reed | 11 | 2020 | Rutgers |

### Receiving yards

Career :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | B.J. Cunningham | 3,086 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 2 | Andre Rison | 2,992 | 1985 1986 1987 1988 |
| 3 | Charles Rogers | 2,821 | 2001 2002 |
| 4 | Kirk Gibson | 2,347 | 1975 1976 1977 1978 |
| 5 | Tony Lippett | 2,247 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 6 | Courtney Hawkins | 2,210 | 1988 1989 1990 1991 |
| 7 | Aaron Burbridge | 2,174 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 8 | Plaxico Burress | 2,155 | 1998 1999 |
| 9 | Mark Dell | 2,136 | 2007 2008 2009 2010 |
| 10 | Gari Scott | 2,095 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Charles Rogers | 1,470 | 2001 |
| 2 | Charles Rogers | 1,351 | 2002 |
| 3 | B.J. Cunningham | 1,306 | 2011 |
| 4 | Devin Thomas | 1,260 | 2007 |
| 5 | Aaron Burbridge | 1,258 | 2015 |
| 6 | Tony Lippett | 1,198 | 2014 |
| 7 | Plaxico Burress | 1,142 | 1999 |
| 8 | Courtney Hawkins | 1,080 | 1989 |
| 9 | Jayden Reed | 1,026 | 2021 |
| 10 | Plaxico Burress | 1,013 | 1998 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Charles Rogers | 270 | 2001 | Fresno State |
| 2 | Plaxico Burress | 255 | 1999 | Michigan |
| 3 | Andre Rison | 252 | 1989 | Georgia |
| 4 | Jalen Nailor | 221 | 2021 | Rutgers |
| 5 | Charles Rogers | 206 | 2001 | Wisconsin |
| 6 | Mark Dell | 202 | 2008 | California |
| 7 | Courtney Hawkins | 197 | 1989 | Minnesota |
| 8 | Andre Rison | 196 | 1986 | Indiana |
| | Ricky White | 196 | 2020 | Michigan |
| 10 | Nick Marsh | 194 | 2024 | Maryland |

### Receiving touchdowns

Career :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Charles Rogers | 27 | 2001 2002 |
| 2 | B.J. Cunningham | 25 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 3 | Kirk Gibson | 24 | 1975 1976 1977 1978 |
| 4 | Josiah Price | 21 | 2013 2014 2015 2016 |
| 5 | Plaxico Burress | 20 | 1998 1999 |
| | Andre Rison | 20 | 1985 1986 1987 1988 |
| 7 | Gari Scott | 18 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
| | Jayden Reed | 18 | 2020 2021 2022 |
| 9 | Gene Washington | 16 | 1964 1965 1966 |
| 10 | Eugene Boyd | 15 | 1975 1976 1978 1979 |
| | Tony Lippett | 15 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Charles Rogers | 14 | 2001 |
| 2 | Charles Rogers | 13 | 2002 |
| 3 | B.J. Cunningham | 12 | 2011 |
| | Plaxico Burress | 12 | 1999 |
| 5 | Tony Lippett | 11 | 2014 |
| 6 | Jayden Reed | 10 | 2021 |
| 7 | B.J. Cunningham | 9 | 2010 |
| | Blair White | 9 | 2009 |
| | Felton Davis III | 9 | 2017 |
| 10 | Devin Thomas | 8 | 2007 |
| | Plaxico Burress | 8 | 1998 |
| | Andre Rison | 8 | 1988 |
| | Bob Carey | 8 | 1949 |

## Total offense

Total offense is the sum of passing and rushing statistics. It does not include receiving or returns.

### Total offense yards

Career :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Years |
| 1 | Connor Cook | 9,403 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 2 | Kirk Cousins | 9,004 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 3 | Jeff Smoker | 8,714 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 4 | Drew Stanton | 8,036 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 5 | Payton Thorne | 6,771 | 2020 2021 2022 |
| 6 | Brian Hoyer | 5,930 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 7 | Ed Smith | 5,556 | 1976 1977 1978 |
| 8 | Brian Lewerke | 5,284 | 2016 2017 2018 |
| 9 | Dave Yarema | 5,269 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
| 10 | Bill Burke | 4,934 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
Single season :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year |
| 1 | Payton Thorne | 3,421 | 2021 |
| 2 | Drew Stanton | 3,415 | 2005 |
| 3 | Brian Lewerke | 3,352 | 2017 |
| 4 | Connor Cook | 3,294 | 2014 |
| 5 | Jeff Smoker | 3,279 | 2003 |
| 6 | Kirk Cousins | 3,277 | 2011 |
| 7 | Connor Cook | 3,187 | 2015 |
| 8 | Connor Cook | 2,831 | 2013 |
| 9 | Kirk Cousins | 2,740 | 2009 |
| 10 | Payton Thorne | 2,721 | 2022 |
Single game :
| Rank | Player | Yards | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Brian Lewerke | 475 | 2017 | Northwestern |
| 2 | Brian Lewerke | 425 | 2017 | Penn State |
| 3 | Connor Cook | 416 | 2015 | Indiana |
| 4 | Drew Stanton | 410 | 2004 | Minnesota |
| 5 | Drew Stanton | 406 | 2004 | Hawaii |
| 6 | Jeff Smoker | 393 | 2001 | Fresno State |
| 7 | Bill Burke | 383 | 1999 | Michigan |
| 8 | Drew Stanton | 375 | 2005 | Notre Dame |
| 9 | Aidan Chiles | 374 | 2024 | Maryland |
| 10 | Connor Cook | 373 | 2014 | Ohio State |

### Touchdowns responsible for

"Touchdowns responsible for" is the official NCAA term for combined passing and rushing touchdowns.
Michigan State's record book does not list single-game leaders in this category.
Career :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Connor Cook | 74 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| 2 | Jeff Smoker | 68 | 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 3 | Kirk Cousins | 67 | 2008 2009 2010 2011 |
| 4 | Drew Stanton | 57 | 2003 2004 2005 2006 |
| 5 | Payton Thorne | 55 | 2020 2021 2022 |
| 6 | Bill Burke | 47 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
| 7 | Dave Yarema | 46 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 |
| 8 | Ed Smith | 45 | 1976 1977 1978 |
| 9 | Lorenzo White | 43 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 10 | Jeremy Langford | 40 | 2012 2013 2014 |
Single season :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Payton Thorne | 31 | 2021 |
| 2 | Drew Stanton | 26 | 2005 |
| | Connor Cook | 26 | 2014 |
| 4 | Kirk Cousins | 25 | 2011 |
| | Brian Lewerke | 25 | 2017 |
| 6 | Jeff Smoker | 24 | 2003 |
| | Connor Cook | 24 | 2015 |
| 8 | Jeff Smoker | 23 | 2001 |
| | Connor Cook | 23 | 2013 |
| 10 | Javon Ringer | 22 | 2008 |

## Defense
### Interceptions

Career :
| Rank | Player | Ints | Years |
| 1 | Lynn Chandnois | 20 | 1946 1947 1948 1949 |
| 2 | Todd Krumm | 18 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 3 | Phil Parker | 16 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 |
| 4 | Kurt Larson | 14 | 1985 1986 1987 1988 |
| | John Miller | 14 | 1985 1986 1987 1988 |
| | Brad Van Pelt | 14 | 1970 1971 1972 |
| 7 | Mark Anderson | 12 | 1976 1977 1978 1979 |
| | Bill Simpson | 12 | 1971 1972 1973 |
| | Jesse Thomas | 12 | 1948 1949 1950 |
| 10 | Johnny Adams | 11 | 2008 2010 2011 2012 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | Ints | Year |
| 1 | Todd Krumm | 9 | 1987 |
| 2 | Kurt Larson | 8 | 1988 |
| | John Miller | 8 | 1987 |
| | Jesse Thomas | 8 | 1950 |
| 5 | Demetrice Martin | 7 | 1994 |
| | Phil Parker | 7 | 1983 |
| | Lynn Chandnois | 7 | 1949 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | Ints | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | John Miller | 4 | 1987 | Michigan |

### Tackles

Career :
| Rank | Player | Tackles | Years |
| 1 | Dan Bass | 541 | 1976 1977 1978 1979 |
| 2 | Percy Snow | 473 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
| 3 | Greg Jones | 465 | 2007 2008 2009 2010 |
| 4 | Ike Reese | 420 | 1994 1995 1996 1997 |
| 5 | Josh Thornhill | 395 | 1998 1999 2000 2001 |
| 6 | Chuck Bullough | 391 | 1988 1989 1990 1991 |
| 7 | Ronald Stanley | 368 | 2001 2002 2003 2004 |
| 8 | Sorie Kanu | 365 | 1995 1996 1997 1998 |
| 9 | Aric Morris | 350 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
| 10 | Thomas Wright | 346 | 1999 2000 2001 2002 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | Tackles | Year |
| 1 | Chuck Bullough | 175 | 1991 |
| 2 | Percy Snow | 172 | 1989 |
| 3 | Chuck Bullough | 164 | 1990 |
| | Percy Snow | 164 | 1988 |
| 5 | Dan Bass | 160 | 1979 |
| 6 | Shane Bullough | 156 | 1985 |
| 7 | Greg Jones | 154 | 2009 |
| 8 | Ty Hallock | 144 | 1992 |
| 9 | Ike Reese | 137 | 1997 |
| | Jim Morrissey | 137 | 1984 |
Single Game :
| Rank | Player | Tackles | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Dan Bass | 32 | 1979 | Ohio State |
| 2 | Don Law | 28 | 1969 | Ohio State |
| 3 | Dan Bass | 24 | 1979 | Notre Dame |
| 4 | Percy Snow | 23 | 1989 | Illinois |
| 5 | Ty Hallock | 21 | 1992 | Minnesota |
| | Shane Bullough | 21 | 1985 | Indiana |
| | Brad Van Pelt | 21 | 1971 | Notre Dame |
| | Doug Barr | 21 | 1969 | Ohio State |
| | Don Law | 21 | 1967 | Indiana |

### Sacks

Career :
| Rank | Player | Sacks | Years |
| 1 | Larry Bethea | 33.0 | 1975 1976 1977 |
| 2 | Shilique Calhoun | 26.0 | 2012 2013 2014 2015 |
| | Kenny Willekes | 26.0 | 2017 2018 2019 |
| 4 | Julian Peterson | 25.0 | 1998 1999 |
| 5 | Travis Davis | 24.0 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
| | Kelly Quinn | 24.0 | 1982 1983 1984 1985 |
| 7 | Robaire Smith | 22.0 | 1997 1998 1999 |
| 8 | Denicos Allen | 19.5 | 2010 2011 2012 2013 |
| 9 | Greg Jones | 16.5 | 2007 2008 2009 2010 |
| 10 | Jacub Panasiuk | 16.0 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
Single-Season :
| Rank | Player | Sacks | Year |
| 1 | Larry Bethea | 16.0 | 1977 |
| 2 | Julian Peterson | 15.0 | 1999 |
| 3 | Robaire Smith | 12.0 | 1997 |
| | Travis Davis | 12.0 | 1987 |
| | Kelly Quinn | 12.0 | 1984 |
| 6 | Denicos Allen | 11.0 | 2011 |
| 7 | Shilique Calhoun | 10.5 | 2015 |
| | Kenny Willekes | 10.5 | 2019 |
| 9 | Jonal Saint-Dic | 10.0 | 2007 |
| | Greg Taplin | 10.0 | 2003 |
| | Julian Peterson | 10.0 | 1998 |
| | Kelly Quinn | 10.0 | 1983 |

## Kicking
### Field goals made

Career :
| Rank | Player | FGs | Years |
| 1 | Matt Coghlin | 76 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 2 | Brett Swenson | 71 | 2006 2007 2008 2009 |
| 3 | Dave Rayner | 62 | 2001 2002 2003 2004 |
| 4 | John Langeloh | 57 | 1987 1988 1989 1990 |
| 5 | Michael Geiger | 56 | 2013 2014 2015 2016 |
| 6 | Dan Conroy | 55 | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 7 | Chris Gardner | 52 | 1994 1995 1996 1997 |
| 8 | Paul Edinger | 46 | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
| 9 | Morten Andersen | 45 | 1978 1979 1980 1981 |
| 10 | Hans Nielsen | 44 | 1974 1975 1976 1977 |
Single season :
| Rank | Player | FGs | Year |
| 1 | Dan Conroy | 23 | 2012 |
| 2 | Paul Edinger | 22 | 1998 |
| | Dave Rayner | 22 | 2003 |
| | Dave Rayner | 22 | 2004 |
| | Brett Swenson | 22 | 2008 |
| | Matt Coghlin | 22 | 2019 |
| 7 | Paul Edinger | 21 | 1999 |
| 8 | Brett Swenson | 19 | 2009 |
| | Jonathan Kim | 19 | 2024 |
| 10 | John Langeloh | 18 | 1988 |
| | Matt Coghlin | 18 | 2018 |
Single game :
| Rank | Player | FGs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Jonathan Kim | 6 | 2024 | Iowa |
| 2 | John Langeloh | 5 | 1988 | Wisconsin |
| | Paul Edinger | 5 | 1998 | Northwestern |
| | Paul Edinger | 5 | 1998 | Ohio State |

### Field goal percentage

Career :
| Rank | Player | FG% | Years |
| 1 | Jonathan Kim | 82.1% | 2023 2024 |
| 2 | Paul Edinger | 79.3% | 1996 1997 1998 1999 |
| 3 | Brett Swenson | 78.0% | 2006 2007 2008 2009 |
| 4 | Dan Conroy | 77.5% | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 5 | Michael Geiger | 73.7% | 2013 2014 2015 2016 |
| 6 | Matt Coghlin | 73.1% | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
Single season :
| Rank | Player | FG% | Year |
| 1 | Michael Geiger | 93.8% | 2013 |
| 2 | Jonathan Kim | 90.5% | 2024 |
| 3 | Brett Swenson | 86.4% | 2009 |
| 4 | Paul Edinger | 84.6% | 1998 |
| 5 | Matt Coghlin | 81.8% | 2018 |
| 6 | Paul Edinger | 80.8% | 1999 |
| 7 | Michael Geiger | 78.9% | 2016 |
| | Matt Coghlin | 78.9% | 2017 |
| 9 | Brett Swenson | 78.6% | 2008 |

## Scoring

Michigan State's most recent record book (2021) does not break down leaders over any time frame (career, single-season, game) by type of score. Some leaders' breakdowns can be extrapolated from information included in the record book, or from other sources.

### Total points

Career :
| Rank | Player | Points | Years |
| 1 | Matt Coghlin | 382 | 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 |
| 2 | Brett Swenson | 377 | 2006 2007 2008 2009 |
| 3 | Michael Geiger | 357 | 2013 2014 2015 2016 |
| 4 | Dave Rayner | 334 | 2001 2002 2003 2004 |
| 5 | John Langeloh | 308 | 1987 1988 1989 1990 |
| 6 | Dan Conroy | 283 | 2009 2010 2011 2012 |
| 7 | Chris Gardner | 281 | 1994 1995 1996 1997 |
| 8 | Morten Andersen | 261 | 1978 1979 1980 1981 |
| 9 | Lorenzo White | 258 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 10 | Sedrick Irvin | 252 | 1996 1997 1998 |
| | Jeremy Langford | 252 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
Single season :
| Rank | Player | Points | Year |
| 1 | Javon Ringer | 132 | 2008 |
| | Jeremy Langford | 132 | 2014 |
| 3 | Jehuu Caulcrick | 126 | 2007 |
| 4 | Michael Geiger | 114 | 2014 |
| 5 | Jeremy Langford | 114 | 2013 |
| | Blake Ezor | 114 | 1989 |
| | Kenneth Walker III | 114 | 2021 |
| 8 | Scott Greene | 112 | 1995 |
| 9 | Eric Allen | 110 | 1971 |
| 10 | Sedrick Irvin | 108 | 1996 |
Single game :
| Rank | Player | Points | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Blake Ezor | 36 | 1989 | Northwestern |
| 2 | Javon Ringer | 30 | 2008 | Eastern Michigan |
| | Kenneth Walker III | 30 | 2021 | Michigan |
| 4 | Scott Greene | 26 | 1995 | Illinois |
| 5 | 17 times | 24 | Most recent: Kenneth Walker III, 2021 vs. Northwestern | Most recent: Kenneth Walker III, 2021 vs. Northwestern |

### Total touchdowns

These lists include touchdowns scored by each individual player, thus including rushing, receiving, and return touchdowns but not passing touchdowns. Michigan State does not break down its lists of total touchdown leaders by type of play.
Career :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Years |
| 1 | Lorenzo White | 43 | 1984 1985 1986 1987 |
| 2 | Sedrick Irvin | 42 | 1996 1997 1998 |
| | Jeremy Langford | 42 | 2011 2012 2013 2014 |
| 4 | Jehuu Caulcrick | 40 | 2004 2005 2006 2007 |
| 5 | Javon Ringer | 35 | 2005 2006 2007 2008 |
| 6 | Blake Ezor | 34 | 1986 1987 1988 1989 |
| | Le'Veon Bell | 34 | 2010 2011 2012 |
| 8 | Lynn Chandnois | 31 | 1946 1947 1948 1949 |
| 9 | Eric Allen | 30 | 1969 1970 1971 |
| | T. J. Duckett | 30 | 1999 2000 2001 |
Single season :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year |
| 1 | Javon Ringer | 22 | 2008 |
| | Jeremy Langford | 22 | 2014 |
| 3 | Jehuu Caulcrick | 21 | 2007 |
| 4 | Blake Ezor | 19 | 1989 |
| | Jeremy Langford | 19 | 2013 |
| | Kenneth Walker III | 19 | 2021 |
| 7 | Eric Allen | 18 | 1971 |
| | Scott Greene | 18 | 1995 |
| | Sedrick Irvin | 18 | 1996 |
| 10 | Lorenzo White | 17 | 1985 |
| | Lorenzo White | 16 | 1987 |
| | Charles Rogers | 16 | 2001 |
Single game :
| Rank | Player | TDs | Year | Opponent |
| 1 | Blake Ezor | 6 | 1989 | Northwestern |
| 2 | Javon Ringer | 5 | 2008 | Eastern Michigan |
| | Kenneth Walker III | 5 | 2021 | Michigan |
| 4 | 19 times | 4 | Most recent: Kenneth Walker III, 2021 vs. Northwestern | Most recent: Kenneth Walker III, 2021 vs. Northwestern |