Michigan State football will have one of Big Ten’s best backfields in 2021

Michigan State football will be among the Big Ten’s best run games and the Spartans might even make some noise nationally.

Chris Kapilovic faces one of the most important seasons of his coaching career in 2021. After seeing his offensive line improve in some areas in 2020, the second-year offensive line coach will be tasked with making sure the Spartans have some semblance of a run game, especially with the loaded backfield coming back.

Will Michigan State’s offensive line be able to protect an impressive stable of backs and open the necessary holes to produce more than just a couple of 200-yard rushers? It better.

It’s been a while since Michigan State has seen this type of depth in the backfield and the rushing offense could be day-and-night in 2021 from 2020.

Let’s look at the stable of backs the Spartans will field.

First, the likely starter is Wake Forest transfer Kennth Walker III who is listed as the fifth-best returning back in college football by Pro Football Focus. He rushed for 579 yards over his first two years with the Demon Deacons and averaged 5.9 and 4.9 yards per carry over the past two years, respectively. He has good vision, patience and a solid burst and had 13 touchdowns in 2020.

Next, there’s Jordon Simmons who I believe could be a surprise star in 2021. He was a highly-touted recruit out of Georgia and it was a big win when Mel Tucker was able to hold on to him. He had 56 carries for 219 yards and if he ran behind a stronger line, he may have been the team’s biggest breakout star. Expect a lot out of Simmons as a sophomore.

And then there’s Elijah Collins who rushed for 988 yards just last season but had a tough time adjusting to the new coaching staff. If he starts to look like the 2019 version of himself in 2021, Michigan State will be in luck and that’ll give the Spartans three or four starting-caliber backs.

Then the Spartans have Harold Joiner who transferred in from Auburn. Many hoped he would commit to MSU out of high school when he was a blue-chip recruit, but he chose the Tigers. After Gus Malzahn was fired and he was relatively undervalued in the Auburn offense, he decided to hit the portal and transfer to Michigan State. He had 15 carries carries for 103 yards and two touchdowns on 6.9 yards per touch and six catches for 128 yards and a score. He’ll be electric.

Lastly, there’s Connor Heyward who may not be the top option in the backfield, but he has starting experience and Tucker seems to like his work ethic. He might be better suited as a slot-type as he’s better catching passes out of the backfield.

Add in young guys like Brandon Wright, Donovan Eaglin and Davion Primm and you’re looking at one of the deepest and most impressive backfields in the Big Ten — and the country.

Big things should be coming from this group, which will be a nice change.