Punts (hopefully not too many) will be booming off the foot of Jake Hartbarger next season in Spartan Stadium.
Per an MSU release, the redshirt senior punter was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after missing most of the 2018 season with a leg injury. In addition to that good news, MSU received word that wide receiver Brandon Sowards has been granted his sixth year of eligibility as well. Sowards missed his entire junior season after getting a knee injury in fall camp.
Hartbarger had been averaging nearly 49 yards per point last season prior to getting hurt against Arizona State in the second game of the season. He is expected to be one of if not the top punters in the Big Ten next season. And with how MSU performed offensively last season, having a great punter is never a bad thing. Let’s hope Hartbarger is great this upcoming season in a more limited role than he’s had in prior seasons.
As for Sowards, the redshirt senior played a career high in games and snaps last season after MSU’s receiving core was ravaged by injury. He hauled in 18 catches for 201 yards in the increased role and returns to the team as an experienced depth man with punt return experience in a talented and deep receiving room.
