Michigan State’s new RB1 is one of the nation’s best in an important category

Michigan State’s running back room has been missing a little something over the past few years. There have been some talented backs that have come through East Lansing since Kenneth Walker III, but none have really stood out the way the former Doak Walker Award winner did.

That could all change in 2026 with Cam Edwards.

The UConn transfer (Michigan State’s second UConn running back transfer in the past four years) is entering the 2026 season as one of the best returning running backs in the country. He had a career-high 1,240 yards and 15 touchdowns on 5.9 yards per carry as a junior with the Huskies, but his most impressive stat is somewhat hidden.

Edwards had zero (!!) fumbles in 2025, making him one of just five returning running backs in college football with no fumbles and over 200 carries last season.

This stat is going to fly under the radar, but the fact that he’s that good at protecting the ball should sit well with Michigan State fans who’ve seen countless sloppy turnovers over the past four years. Nate Carter was pretty good at protecting the ball as well and beat himself up over the only fumble that I can remember from him back in 2023. Edwards is built from the same mold.

Edwards comes to Michigan State as one of the top running backs in college football and he’s going to lead an impressive room of backs that has been built up by Pat Fitzgerald.

A 1,000-yard rusher who carried the ball over 200 times with zero fumbles is going to lead Michigan State’s backfield and I don’t think that’s being talked about enough. Edwards could be a Doak Walker Award candidate.

Cam Edwards isn’t getting enough love

I’ve seen Edwards’ name mentioned among the top running backs in the Big Ten a few times, but he’s still not getting nearly enough love. He rushed for over 1,000 yards as a junior and that followed seasons of over 600 and 800 yards with five-plus yards per carry.

If Edwards committed to a team like Ohio State, Penn State, Oregon, USC, or Michigan, he’d be receiving a ton of love. Since it’s just Michigan State, he’s being overlooked.

Michigan State is going to have its best running back since its first Doak Walker winner and I wouldn’t be shocked to see Edwards becoming a finalist by the end of the season. He should, at the very least, be on the watch list to begin the year.

Edwards’ goal was to be the best back in the Big Ten, so we’ll see if he achieves that.

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