Spartan RB Jeremy Langford Selected in the 4th Round of the NFL Draft by The Chicago Bears

Jeremy Langford comes from a great family. It was that family that wouldn't let him quit, when he was taken of scholarship at MSU and made him work to get it

Jeremy Langford comes from a great family. It was that family that wouldn't let him quit, when he was taken of scholarship at MSU and made him work to get it back. Congratulations to Jeremy. Here are two press releases with all you need to know from MSU and the Bears. First from MSU.

2015 NFL Draft Update: Langford Selected By Chicago In Fourth Round

As a fifth-year senior in 2014, Jeremy Langford set career highs for rushing yards (1,522), rushing touchdowns (22), rushing yards per game (117.1), scoring (132 points) and all-purpose yards (1,584).

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State fifth-year senior running back Jeremy Langford, who closed out his collegiate career with a school-record 10-straight 100-yard rushing games, has been selected by the Chicago Bears in the fourth round (No. 106 overall) of the 2015 National Football League Draft on Saturday, May 2. Langford becomes the fourth Spartan running back to be drafted in Mark Dantonio’s first eight seasons as head coach, joining Javon Ringer (2009: Tennessee Titans – fifth round), Edwin Baker (2012: San Diego Chargers – seventh round) and Le’Veon Bell (2013: Pittsburgh Steelers – second round).

In 2014, the 6-0, 211-pound Langford set career highs for rushing yards (1,522), rushing touchdowns (22), rushing yards per game (117.1), scoring (132 points) and all-purpose yards (1,584). He ranked second in the Big Ten and tied for sixth in the NCAA FBS in rushing TDs with 22, which tied MSU’s single-season record (Javon Ringer, 2008). His 1,522 rushing yards ranked sixth in the Big Ten and 19th in the NCAA FBS. He finished sixth in the conference and 20th in the NCAA FBS in rushing, averaging 117.1 yards per game. Langford also ranked among the Big Ten leaders in scoring (tied for second with 10.2 ppg.), carries (third with 276) and all-purpose yards (seventh with 121.8 ypg.). He ranked third in the Big Ten in rushing in conference games (127.5 ypg.). He ranked among the NCAA FBS leaders in 20-yard runs (tied for 13th with 14) and 30-yard gains (tied for 15th with eight).

An honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media, Langford produced some of the top single-season totals in MSU history: rushing TDs (tied for first with 22), scoring (tied for first with 132 points), 100-yard rushing games (second with 10), rushing yards (fifth with 1,522) and rushing attempts (seventh with 276).

With 1,422 rushing yards as a junior in 2013 and 1,522 yards as a senior, Langford became the first Spartan running back to record back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons since Ringer in 2007-08, and just the sixth in Spartan history (Blake Ezor, 1988-89; Tico Duckett, 1990-92; Sedrick Irvin, 1996-98; T.J. Duckett, 2000-01; Ringer, 2007-08). He is one of only three Spartan running backs, along with Ringer and T.J. Duckett, to record at least 1,300 yards rushing in back-to-back seasons. His 2,944 rushing yards since the beginning of 2013 are the second-most ever by a Spartan in a two-season span (3,084 yards by Ringer, 2007-08).

Langford scored 40 rushing TDs since the beginning of the 2013 season – the highest two-year total ever by a Spartan running back (previous record: 30 rushing TDs by Ezor, 1988-89). Eleven of his 40 rushing TDs since 2013 have come in the fourth quarter, including five of 25 yards or longer.

He scored multiple rushing TDs in his last seven consecutive games – the longest streak among active NCAA FBS players. Langford produced 18 rushing TDs during the seven-game span.

The Wayne, Michigan, native gained 650 of his 1,522 rushing yards (43 percent) after contact in 2014, which ranked 11th among Power 5 Conference running backs, according to STATS.

“Jeremy Langford had a spectacular senior year and put together a 100-yard rushing streak in Big Ten games that hasn't been accomplished in 20 years,” Dantonio said. “Jeremy was an extremely productive player his last two seasons, rushing for nearly 3,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. As a multi-dimensional player, he showcased the necessary skills to be an ‘every down back’ at the next level. Jeremy gained more than 40 percent of his yards after contact, and his combination of speed and elusiveness made him a threat to go the distance each time he touched the football. He also displayed toughness, durability and ball security (lost four fumbles in 796 career touches) over the last two seasons. In addition, Jeremy established himself as a valuable receiving outlet coming out of the backfield. He’s the type of player who can have an immediate impact on special teams in the NFL.”

Langford extended his school-record streak to 10-straight 100-yard rushing games, with 27 carries for 162 yards against Baylor in the 2015 Cotton Bowl Classic. Langford became the first back to record a 100-yard rushing game against Baylor, which entered the game ranked ninth nationally in rushing defense, allowing 107.7 yards per game. His 162 rushing yards were the third-highest single-game total in MSU bowl history. Langford's 27 carries (tied for 10th) and 162 rushing yards (10th) ranked among the top single-game Cotton Bowl totals. Langford broke a career-long 65-yard run off left tackle on the third play from scrimmage to set up his first rushing TD. It also marked the 10th-longest run in Cotton Bowl history.

He also tied his career high with three rushing TDs against Baylor, scoring on a pair of 2-yard runs and a 1-yard plunge. His three rushing TDs tied MSU's single-game bowl record (Ezor vs. Hawaii, 1989 Aloha Bowl) and were the second-best single-game total in Cotton Bowl history and the most since Missouri's Tony Temple scored a Cotton Bowl-record four against Arkansas in 2008.

Langford broke his own school record by rushing for more than 100 yards in his ninth consecutive game with 118 yards and two touchdowns on 30 carries in the regular-season finale at Penn State. In addition, he closed his career in conference play by rushing for more than 100 yards in 15 straight Big Ten regular-season games and 16 consecutive games against Big Ten opponents. His 15 consecutive 100-yard rushing performances in Big Ten regular-season games were a school record, and it also marked the longest 100-yard streak in the NCAA FBS for regular-season conference games since STATS began tracking such records in 1996.

In his final home appearance at Spartan Stadium on Senior Day against Rutgers, ye rushed for 126 yards and two touchdowns (18 yards, 38 yards) on 16 attempts against the Scarlet Knights.

Langford collected 138 yards on the ground and two TDs on 25 carries at Maryland, with 69 of those rushing yards coming in the fourth quarter including a 25-yard TD run.

He carried 18 times for 137 yards (7.6 avg.) and three rushing TDs, including a pair of 1-yard runs and a 33-yarder, against No. 14 Ohio State.

Langford posted career highs in rushing yards (177) and carries (35) and tied a career best with three rushing TDs in the 35-11 victory over Michigan Oct. 25 in Spartan Stadium. It marked the fifth-highest single-game rushing total for a Spartan against the Wolverines. On MSU’s final scoring drive against the Wolverines, Langford rushed seven straight times for 48 yards late in the fourth quarter, including a 5-yard TD run around right end. He also accounted for a career-best 195 all-purpose yards against Michigan (one reception for 18 yards). In his last two games against Michigan, Langford rushed 61 times for 297 yards (148.5 ypg.) and four TDs.

Langford rushed 21 times for 109 yards and three TDs (runs of 32, 8 and 12 yards) at Indiana. He averaged 8.0 yards per carry at Purdue, with 13 attempts for 104 yards. In the Big Ten opener against No. 19 Nebraska, Langford gained 111 yards on 29 carries, including a 31-yard TD run early in the second quarter that gave the Spartans a 14-0 lead over the Huskers. His first 100-yard rushing effort of the season came against Wyoming, with 16 rushes for 137 yards including a 29-yard TD run.

A four-year letterman, Langford rushed 577 times for 2,967 career yards (5.1 avg.) and 40 TDs. He appeared in 50 career games, including 27 consecutive starts at tailback. He ranks among MSU’s all-time leaders in rushing TDs (second with 40), total TDs (tied for second with 42), 100-yard rushing games (third with 18), rushing yards (eighth with 2,967), scoring (tied for eighth with 252 points) and carries (ninth with 577). Langford also had 39 career receptions for 219 yards (5.6 avg.) and one score.

Langford on his selection:

“I can’t even explain my feelings right now, but it’s definitely a dream come true,” Langford said. “When I took the call from the GM (General Manager Ryan Pace), I think my heart stopped for a moment. He said the organization really likes my toughness, productivity and work ethic. I’m happy to be a Chicago Bear.

“It’s been wonderful to share this life experience surrounded by family and friends, who supported me throughout my college career. It’s an exciting atmosphere.

“I’m proudest of my perseverance through the position changes, and the coaches certainly provided me with an opportunity to showcase my all-around talents at tailback. I’m also proud of the consistent production I had the last two years because that’s difficult to do in the Big Ten and against the schedule we play.”

Finally courtesy of the Chicago Bears, here is the transcript of Langford's press conference with the Bears media:

On the communication he had with the Bears during the Draft process and if he felt Chicago would pick him

“No, I didn’t have a feeling at all. It threw me for a loop. I think I talked to the Bears a couple of times at the Senior Bowl or the Combine. Besides that, this threw me for a loop. I had no idea. I’m glad to be here.”

On playing multiple positions at Michigan State and how felt about finally settling at running back

“At the time, when I was younger, it was a little frustrating. The older I got, it helped me out in my future game, the last two years playing. I think it helped me out in knowing the whole playbook by playing receiver and knowing defenses playing corner. I feel like it helped me in the long run. I was very excited to get back to running back to put it all together.”

On his running style

“I can be balanced. I can hit the home run and at the same time get the third and shorts. I feel like I can be used in any situation on third down and be able to catch the ball out of the backfield. I’m very versatile.”

On the strengths of his game

“Definitely picking up blitzes, like hitting linebackers in there. I was responsible for that at Michigan State a lot. I feel like I did that really well, to protect the quarterback and just catching the ball out of the backfield. I feel like that’s key in the game today - to be able to have a running back that can catch the ball, I feel I can do both of those really well.”

On what scouts told him his weaknesses were

“Running through tackles more and be able to break more tackles. Be stronger down field and run through tackles. That’s pretty much what I heard a lot. I feel that’s what I worked on. At the same time, I only played running back for two years. I feel I’m only getting better. The sky’s the limit”

On how he can improve his strength and power at the point of contact

“I think that just comes with experience of playing running back. The more you play and can be able to make the safety miss, and be able to learn how players come down, I feel like it all comes with experience and playing time.”

On what he knows about Matt Forte

“I watch Matt Forte a lot. That’s who I watched, I see him stand-up linebackers all the time. I feel like he does it all. He catches the ball out of the backfield very well. He blocks linebackers very well. That’s the one I learned a lot watching his film to be able to block linebackers. I feel he like he has the whole package.”

On where he is watching the Draft from and what his expectations were coming into today

“It was hard. I was home with my family watching the Draft. And hopefully I was thinking [I would get selected in] third round, but I talked to my agent and he said it should be early fourth and that’s what happened. I was here with my family and my little brothers and we were all excited. It kind of caught me off guard at the time.”