Entering the 2025 season, Michigan State football has question marks at numerous positions but one that really stands out is the running back spot with both leading rushers gone from last year.
The Spartans are down Nate Carter and Kay'ron Lynch-Adams who led the team in rushing last year in somewhat of a two-headed attack. The Spartans weren't exactly explosive on the ground, but the pieces were there in the backfield, it was the offensive line that held them back.
Now, there were just three running backs on the roster during spring ball and Jace Clarizio will be the fourth coming in with the 2025 recruiting class. There's a starting job up for grabs, but who takes it?
The first option has to be Elijah Tau-Tolliver, a transfer from Sacramento State who had 958 yards and seven touchdowns on 5.2 yards per carry in 2024 with the Hornets. He has the most experience of the bunch, but he hasn't played at the FBS level. That could be a concern.
Next is Brandon Tullis. The sophomore from Dallas, Texas, rushed for just 20 yards on seven carries as a true freshman in 2024 and it feels like his ceiling is incredibly high.
Makhi Frazier is also a sophomore from Texas and he, too, played minimally as a true freshman. He had just 21 yards on seven carries and caught a 12-yard pass in 2024. I'm expecting him to be a valuable contributor eventually as well.
Last, there's Clarizio. The four-star freshman from East Lansing drew interest from Alabama before sticking with Michigan State on signing day which was huge for Jonathan Smith. I expect him to become the starter in East Lansing eventually but I don't see him winning the job in year one -- at least not right away.
So who wins the job?
In my opinion, I think the staff starts the season with the veteran in Tau-Tolliver before realizing that Tullis is the most effective runner. I think we'll see plenty of Frazier, too, but my pick to finish the year as the starter is Tullis with Tau-Tolliver and Makhi splitting backup duties. We'll see a small dose of Clarizio as well.
I'd be thrilled with 700-800 yards from Tullis, 400-500 from Frazier and Tau-Tolliver, and 100-plus from Clarizio to go along with Aidan Chiles' dual-threat ability.
It all depends on that offensive line.