Michigan State Football: Will 2022 backfield be just as productive as 2021’s?

Will Michigan State football’s backfield be just as productive in 2022 as it was with Kenneth Walker III leading the way in 2021?

Replacing one of the best running backs in Michigan State football history is not an easy task.

Mel Tucker knows this.

That’s why when it was obvious that Kenneth Walker III would be forgoing his final year of eligibility to head to the NFL, he went out and landed Jalen Berger in the transfer portal. Shortly after doing this, he targeted his former running back at Colorado, Jarek Broussard.

Both guys are capable of being stars.

Berger is a former four-star running back who was once expected to be the star in the Wisconsin backfield. If you know anything about Wisconsin running backs, you’d know how high of a pedestal that puts you on. Broussard is the former Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Year from 2020 after he led the league in rushing. He took a step back in 2021 but has the skill-set to be a star.

JD Duplain sees the vision for the backfield and he’s on board with the direction of this group.

So is this just a lineman standing up for his fellow linemen and backfield or is this a legitimate scenario? I’m going with the latter.

Sure, Duplain isn’t going to say “no, I don’t think we’ll have a good running game” but I think he’s seen enough from the two transfers along with Jordon Simmons, Davion Primm, Elijah Collins, and Harold Joiner to say that the backfield won’t see a drop-off in 2022. And it’s OK to believe him.

I do.

I’ve been saying this for months now, but Broussard is a budding star and I think he’ll be that Walker-lite player that MSU needs. Berger will be the perfect complementary piece.

Both, in my opinion, are capable of pushing for 1,000 yards.

Is it going to be easy to replace an All-American and Doak Walker Award winner? No, but Michigan State did the best possible thing, hitting the transfer portal for two very capable, experienced runners.

The only way the backfield isn’t as productive as it was a year ago is if the offensive line struggles. Depth is a concern, but the starters should be solid enough to pave the way.

I’m buying what Duplain is selling.