Updating Every MSU Position Battle As Camp Enters Final Stretch

A few spots in Michigan State's starting lineup were up for grabs entering training camp this year.

These battles have essentially come down to the last few weeks. Here is where each one stands and seems to be headed, with less than two weeks until the season opener against Toledo on Sept. 4.

Battle Following RB1

Michigan State's Marvis Parrish runs the ball during the football Spring Showcase on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

There's no doubt about who MSU's lead running back will be this year. That job is unquestionably Cam Edwards'. He ran for 1,240 yards and 15 touchdowns last year at UConn, and there is a real chance he's the star of the offense and perhaps the team.

Which players get the remaining carries is another story. The Spartans have three main options beyond Edwards, all of whom are relatively proven. I'd give Western Kentucky transfer Marvis Parrish the RB2 nod right now. He had 779 scrimmage yards last season as a true freshman and was the Hilltoppers' leading rusher. Parrish will be a nice part of Michigan State's pass game, too -- he had 36 receptions last year.

April 18, 2026; East Lansing, Mich.; Michigan State Spartans running back Jaziun Patterson gets a carry during the team's "Spring Showcase" at Spartan Stadium. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Returning junior Brandon Tullis and Iowa transfer Jaziun Patterson also cannot be ignored. Tullis was MSU's RB2 for a solid portion of last season, and Patterson was the Hawkeyes' second option in the backfield in 2025 as well.

At least one player, assuming everyone remains healthy, will get a real downtick in their role this coming year. Teams consistently using three running backs feels pretty normal, but four would be a lot, especially when one of them has star expectations.

RT Battle

Michigan State offensive lineman Rakeem Johnson goes through drills during the first day of fall camp on Thursday, August 6, 2026. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

One starting spot on MSU's offensive line is still up in the air. That's at right tackle. A big reason for that has been the shift to left guard for Conner Moore. He was the Spartans' starting right tackle last year, but the move leaves that spot vacant.

Rakeem Johnson seems to be in line to fill in. That's not a completely expected result. Johnson started back in April during the spring scrimmage, but that means he's had a leg up on Georgia Southern transfer Robert Wright Jr. this whole time. Wright was the starting right tackle at his previous school last fall, not getting flagged once all season. Johnson has just 90 career snaps at right tackle.

TE Battle

One of the big battles has been at tight end. Michigan State has four or five tight ends who could command some playing time this year, and a whole lot of different combinations it can have on the field at once.

The top two "traditional" tight ends are Brennan Parachek and Jayden Savoury right now. I'm partial to thinking Savoury is the best option in the room right now, but Parachek being the No. 1 guy to start the year wouldn't be surprising.

Kai Rios is still another part of the equation. You probably won't see him haul in a ton of receptions this year, but he looks like the best blocker among the group right now. That'll probably get him on the field for a lot of short-yardage situations where opposing defenses are expecting MSU to run.

Then there's Carson Gulker, who is sort of in a league of his own. Most of his snaps will probably be as a regular tight end, but there may be times he lines up as an H-back, a fullback, and even as a quarterback in a wildcat formation.

WR Battle

Wide receiver is the highest-stakes battle, though. This one doesn't seem likely to be resolved by the time Sept. 4 rolls around. Pat Fitzgerald said last week that "maybe as many as nine" receivers could be a part of a rotation for Michigan State this season. That would be a change from what MSU has done in previous years with Courtney Hawkins as the wide receivers coach, but it makes sense given the smaller gap between the starters and the backups than usual.

The three starters right now seem to be Chrishon McCray, Charles Taplin, and Rodney Bullard Jr. McCray is the only player who hasn't had to worry much about playing time this camp. He started as the Spartans' slot receiver last season, and he would be my guess to be Michigan State's leading receiver this year.

Another variable is Bullard's eligibility case. He's got a hearing scheduled for this coming Thursday for the injunction he filed against the NCAA last week. I think Bullard should join the long list of athletes who have beaten the NCAA in court, but you never know.

As for the other six receivers in the running for some playing time, my main guesses would be: KK Smith, Fredrick Moore, Samson Gash, Jameel Gardner Jr., Bryson Williams, and Braylon Collier.

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