Michigan State Football: 3 storylines to follow in spring 2021

Michigan State football is finally back as spring ball is kicking off on Tuesday. Which storylines should we be following?

For what feels like the first time in a decade, Michigan State spring football is back. The Spartans kicked off spring practices on Tuesday and have been getting some field action in over the past couple of days.

This is the first full spring for Mel Tucker who took over last February before COVID-19 hit in March. He was never able to put a spring together and had to scramble to get his team prepared for a season well into summer and fall.

Michigan State responded with a 2-5 season but it did pick up a couple of ranked wins over Michigan and Northwestern. There’s plenty of room for improvement.

Which MSU football storylines should we be following this spring?

3. Backfield battle for carries

Most of the running backs that will be on the final roster once falls is here are already on campus and they’re battling it out for carries. This spring will tell us a lot about the running back battle.

Jordon Simmons was a standout freshman last season and will be back to fight for that starting job along with 2019’s breakout performer Elijah Collins and Wake Forest transfer Kenneth Walker III who led the Demon Deacons last season. Auburn transfer Harold Joiner won’t be on campus until the summer but he should have more of a hybrid role.

The Spartans also have Connor Heyward and he rounds out the backfield with experienced players as Brandon Wright moved to defensive end this spring.

Will Walker come in and win the starting job because of his experience and ability to do just about everything at an above average level or will it be one of the veterans who have been on the roster like Collins, Heyward or even Simmons in year two?

Keep an eye on this battle.