Michigan State Football: Way-too-early offensive position groups preview

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STATE COLLEGE, PA – NOVEMBER 26: Jordon Simmons #22 of the Michigan State Spartans carries the ball before the game against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Beaver Stadium on November 26, 2022 in State College, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /

Running Backs

The running back room is a mix of familiar veterans (Jordan Simmons and Jalen Berger) and some new faces (UConn transfer Nathan Carter and USF transfer and Jaden’s sibling, Jaren Mangham).

Obviously Kenneth Walker leaving to crush it in the NFL left a void in the Spartan offense that was just too big for anyone to close.

The Spartans averaged an abysmal 113 yards per game last season, good for third-worst in the Big Ten. While some of this could be blamed on a lack of talent and inconsistency on the offensive line, it was rare that any of last year’s running backs made big plays. An MSU running back only gained over 100 yards on the ground against the two MAC schools at the beginning of the season and then the only other game was against the last-place Indiana Hoosiers.

I’m sorry but that’s just not good enough. I’m not asking for another KWIII, but I just need more than 3.8 yards a carry and I don’t think that’s asking for too much.

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