Michigan State Football: Predicting final stat leaders for upcoming 2020 season

Shakur Brown and Xavier Henderson, Michigan State football (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
Shakur Brown and Xavier Henderson, Michigan State football (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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Elijah Collins, Michigan State football (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

Rushing

Rushing yards: Elijah Collins
Rushing touchdowns: Elijah Collins
Yards per carry: Elijah Collins

This one was honestly a no-brainer because of what we saw Elijah Collins do a season ago as a redshirt freshman, but he’ll have some carries stolen by guys like Anthony Williams Jr., Brandon Wright and Connor Heyward. We may even see some Jordon Simmons action.

Collins rushed for 988 yards a season ago behind one of the worst offensive lines in the Big Ten and looked primed for the first 1,000-yard season since Jeremy Langford.

Williams was the only other running back to eclipse 100 yards last season as a true freshman which just goes to show how poor the run game was. He averaged just 3.1 yards per carry and had one touchdown so I don’t see him having a massive jump in production but he could form a solid 1-2 punch with Collins.

Heyward and Wright will be the bigger goal-line backs and may contribute to the passing game as well. The former might be better in the slot.