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Michigan State Football: Way-too-early 2-deep depth chart projection for 2021

By Connor Muldowney

STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
STATE COLLEGE, PA - DECEMBER 12: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the second half at Beaver Stadium on December 12, 2020 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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Nov 7, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jordon Simmons (22) runs the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2020; Iowa City, Iowa, USA; Michigan State Spartans running back Jordon Simmons (22) runs the ball against the Iowa Hawkeyes during the third quarter at Kinnick Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeffrey Becker-USA TODAY Sports /

Running backs

Starter: Kenneth Walker III
Backups: Jordon Simmons OR Harold Joiner OR Elijah Collins OR Connor Heyward

OK, this has to be the strongest position group on the team, right?

It was nearly impossible to make this just a two-deep because there are about 4-5 guys vying for the starting job and you could make a case for each of them.

Right now, I have Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III assuming the starting role after being named the fifth-best returning running back in the country by Pro Football Focus. He had 579 yards and 13 touchdowns on 4.9 yards per carry in 2020 and will be one of the better backs in the Big Ten next season. He’s got all the tools.

Jordon Simmons is right there after leading the team in rushing with 219 yards as a breakout freshman. He’ll be pushed by Auburn transfer and former blue-chipper Harold Joiner who wasn’t used enough with the Tigers. Elijah Collins is a former near-1,000-yard rusher as a redshirt freshman in 2019 and if he puts in the work, he could win his starting job back.

And lastly, Connor Heyward has plenty of experience and rushed for 200 yards last year. I think the staff needs to make him a passing down back because he has good hands out of the backfield and he’s not as effective as a runner.

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