The State News recently caught up with former MSU running back T.J. Duckett in Southfield at a community reading event.

• What he's been up to since the football season ended …

"Well, I have two dogs and I've been spending a lot of time with them, and just been hanging out. I was just back home in Kalamazoo."

• The past year playing for Atlanta …

"It was good. We had a difficult year, we didn't do what we wanted to. Other than that, it was a good year. I had a lot of fun."

• His thoughts on the MSU football team last fall …

"We need to get better, we need to start winning some games. The program is right around the corner. I mean, we're almost there, a couple games here and a couple games there and you'll see a complete difference. I'm behind them 100 percent and I can't wait for next season — it's about time we win the Big Ten around here, you know what I'm saying? It's about that time."

• His thoughts on the hoops team …

"Right now, they are playing great. I went to the Final Four when they were in St. Louis. I had a great time there. So hopefully, we can go back and I can try to get back to the Final Four."

• How his brother, Tico, is doing …

"Good, he has his own business, working in Lansing. He keeps me up on Michigan State events."

• Who he keeps in touch with any of his teammates from his MSU days …

"Very few of them. I check in with as many as I can. But as years go by, I know less and less on the team. It's all good."