Michigan State football may have just landed its next Connor Heyward

Not many players had the type of growth that Connor Heyward did while with Michigan State football.

The former three-star running back from Georgia was recruited as an “athlete” but began his Michigan State career in the backfield. He was a running back through his first four seasons in East Lansing but he nearly left the program after Mark Dantonio retired in 2019.

Mel Tucker converted Heyward to more of an H-back, tight end hybrid during his senior year, and that was the best thing for his draft stock.

Heyward ended up getting selected in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft, and he’s been with the Pittsburgh Steelers in the same role ever since.

Fans grew to love Heyward and his tough, hard-nosed, do-everything play style. That hasn’t been replicated in East Lansing since his departure following the 2021 season, but Michigan State may have just found someone to fit that role.

On Wednesday evening, Ferris State’s Carson Gulker committed to Michigan State. He had interest from programs like LSU and Texas Tech.

Gulker did just about everything for the Division II national champions, and now he brings that Swiss army knife bag to East Lansing.

Carson Gulker is going to have a big role

When Michigan State first starting recruiting Gulker publicly, some fans who didn’t know much about Ferris State were confused. Why were the Spartans going after a guy who played quarterback at Ferris State? Little did they know that Gulker was much more than just a quarterback.

While he did play some quarterback at Ferris, he was utilized more as a Heyward or Taysom Hill (New Orleans Saints) type of player.

Gulker passed for 1,591 yards and 16 touchdowns over his Ferris State career, but the Zeeland, Mich., native had 2,228 rushing yards and 50 more touchdowns as well as 548 receiving yards and seven scores. Throughout his Ferris career, he accounted for over 4,000 all-purpose yards and 73 touchdowns. Incredible.

Now he brings that utility play to Michigan State where he’s going to bring back that Heyward role and be an H-back type who can block, catch passes, and run on occasion. He’s going to do a little of everything to help the offense.

I could also see him involved in some trick plays where he attempts some passes.

The possibilities are endless with Gulker.