Michigan State Football: Ranking 3 strongest position groups for 2021

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Michigan State running back Kenneth Walker III (9) practices Wednesday, Aug. 11, 2021 at the team’s facility in East Lansing. /

3. Running backs

The running back position is one at which Michigan State has always been strong, but after a year that saw the position fail to score a rushing touchdown, Mel Tucker and the staff knew they needed to find some talent to tote the rock.

They did just that by adding who was maybe the strongest running back in the transfer portal in Wake Forest’s Kenneth Walker III. Walker rushed for nearly 600 yards in just seven games for the Demon Deacons last season, along with a whopping 13 touchdowns. Walker can do it all — he’s fast, strong, patient, and shifty. He should earn the lion’s share of the carries and add a dynamic rushing threat to the Spartans’ offense.

Elijah Collins is a guy who didn’t have the season he — and all Spartan fans — would have liked to have last season due to suffering from COVID-19. Collins has gotten leaner, faster, and stronger this offseason, and don’t be surprised if he gets back to the high level we saw him playing at in 2019.

Auburn transfer Harold Joiner III, veteran Connor Heyward, speedster Jordon Simmons, redshirt freshman Donovan Eaglin and freshman Davion Primm round out what should be a vastly improved running back room.

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