Michigan State Football: 3 offensive breakout candidates for spring 2022

ATLANTA, GEORGIA - DECEMBER 30: Maliq Carr #6 of the Michigan State Spartans reacts after a first down during the fourth quarter against the Pittsburgh Panthers during the Chick-Fil-A Peach Bowl at Mercedes-Benz Stadium on December 30, 2021 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Adam Hagy/Getty Images) /

3 of 3

Sep 11, 2021; Madison, Wisconsin, USA; Wisconsin Badgers running back Jalen Berger (8) during the game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Camp Randall Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

When Jalen Berger committed to Wisconsin back in the 2020 class, everyone expected him to become the next great Badger rusher. He was following in elite footsteps and had all the tools to create a path of his own.

But Berger and the Badgers just never worked out. He had 301 yards and two touchdowns in a COVID-shortened true freshman season and just 88 yards and a touchdown in a few games in 2021 before being dismissed from the program. He entered the transfer portal and Mel Tucker wasted little time to get him onto campus and land his commitment.

Now, the former top-150 recruit is tasked with trying to replace the Doak Walker Award winner in Kenneth Walker III who broke out for the Spartans in 2021 after transferring in from Wake Forest.

Berger will be on campus this spring unlike fellow running back transfer Jarek Broussard which means he’ll have a leg up in the competition for the starting job. He’ll be duking it out with Jordon Simmons, Elijah Collins, and Harold Joiner until Broussard gets to campus this summer.

A big spring, which I’m projecting here, will go a long way for Berger when the season kicks off this fall.

Next. 5 bold predictions for 2022 NCAA Tournament. dark

Home/Spartans Football