Next Man Up: 4 Michigan State Running Backs Who Must Step Up

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The Michigan State Spartans have suffered another devastating blow to their offense.

Head coach Pat Fitzgerald announced Monday that star running back Cam Edwards has been ruled out for the remainder of the 2026 season with a knee injury, leaving a massive hole in the Spartans' backfield heading into the heart of Big Ten play.

The injury occurred early in the first quarter against Nebraska. Edwards caught a pass, turned upfield and burst for a 21-yard gain, sending Spartan fans out of their seats. Moments later, however, the excitement turned to concern as Edwards lay on the turf in obvious pain.

His right foot had planted into the grass just as a Nebraska defender made contact with his legs. There was nothing malicious about the tackle, just an unfortunate collision that resulted in a season-ending injury for one of Michigan State's most important offensive weapons.

Injuries are an unfortunate part of football, and for more than a century, teams have relied on the same philosophy when adversity strikes: Next man up.

When one door closes, another opens. For Michigan State, several running backs now have an opportunity to step through that door and establish themselves as key contributors in the Spartans' offense.

Here are four names Spartan fans should know as the team looks to replace Edwards' production.

Jaziun Patterson

The Iowa transfer gives Michigan State a veteran presence in the backfield and a player who has been waiting for his opportunity to make a significant impact in the green and white.

Patterson spent four years at Iowa, redshirting his freshman season before appearing in 31 games over the following three years. During that span, he recorded 181 rushing attempts for 811 yards, averaging 4.5 yards per carry while finding the end zone four times.

One of Patterson's best performances came in 2024 against Wisconsin, when he rushed 10 times for 56 yards and a touchdown. Coincidentally, the Badgers are the very same team Michigan State will face this weekend.

Patterson has already shown flashes of what he can bring to the Spartans' offense this season. He rushed 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown against Eastern Michigan in Week 2 before failing to record a carry against Notre Dame.

However, he was thrust into an expanded role early against Nebraska, finishing with 16 carries for 54 yards (3.4 yards per carry) and a touchdown.

With Edwards sidelined, Patterson is now in line to become Michigan State's primary ball carrier. The senior has spent much of his college career waiting for an opportunity like this, and he will finally have the chance to establish himself as a true bell-cow back.

Marvis Parrish

The sophomore transfer from Western Kentucky is another player who could benefit significantly from Edwards' absence.

Parrish enjoyed an impressive freshman campaign in Conference USA, rushing 106 times for 576 yards and averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He also demonstrated his versatility as a receiver, hauling in 36 passes for 203 yards.

While Patterson will likely handle the bulk of the rushing workload, Parrish should have plenty of opportunities to contribute, particularly in the passing game.

If he can translate the explosiveness he displayed at Western Kentucky to the Big Ten and become more effective between the tackles, there's a chance he could earn a larger share of the carries as the season progresses.

Parrish has struggled to find his footing early in 2026, recording 15 rushing attempts for 47 yards through the first three weeks. His limited production continued against Nebraska, where he received just three carries despite Edwards' injury.

Still, Parrish is young, talented and has plenty of football ahead of him. With the depth chart opening up, he has an opportunity to turn his season around and prove he deserves a more prominent role.

Brandon Tullis

Tullis is entering his third season with the Spartans and is coming off the most productive year of his collegiate career.

Last season, the junior recorded 69 carries for 301 yards, averaging 4.4 yards per attempt while scoring four touchdowns. Although he has been buried on the depth chart this season, Edwards' injury could provide the opening he needs to reestablish himself in the backfield.

Tullis received four carries against Eastern Michigan, turning them into an impressive 37 yards. He then recorded his fifth carry of the season against Nebraska, gaining two yards.

While his opportunities have been limited, Tullis is one of the few returning running backs with meaningful experience in Michigan State's system.

If he can recapture the burst and effectiveness he displayed last season, he could become a valuable piece of the Spartans' rushing attack as the team navigates the remainder of its schedule.

Kenneth Williams

The final name to keep an eye on is return specialist Kenneth Williams.

Spartan fans may remember Williams for a costly drop against Notre Dame a couple of weeks ago, but his role could expand with the running back room suddenly shorthanded.

Williams has recorded just one rushing attempt this season, gaining eight yards. He isn't expected to receive a significant workload immediately, but Edwards' injury moves him one step closer to the top of the depth chart.

Whether that translates into meaningful opportunities remains to be seen. However, with the Spartans needing every available option in the backfield, Williams could find himself contributing in ways he wasn't expected to just a few weeks ago.

Michigan State Must Find Its Next Playmaker

Losing Edwards is a significant setback for a Michigan State offense that was already searching for consistency. Replacing his production won't be easy, and the Spartans will need more than one player to fill the void.

Patterson appears positioned to shoulder the heaviest workload, while Parrish, Tullis and Williams will have opportunities to carve out larger roles.

The challenge now falls on Michigan State's coaching staff to find the right combination of backs capable of keeping the offense moving.

The Spartans didn't ask for this adversity, but they have no choice but to respond to it. And as the old football saying goes, when one player goes down, the next man must be ready to step up.

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