Two players emerging as leaders in Spartans running backs position battle
Michigan State held its second fall camp scrimmage this past weekend, which was considered a big opportunity for some position battles to shake out. One of those was running back, and it sounds like we now know who is in line for the top two spots at that position.
Spartans head coach Jonathan Smith met with the media on Monday to discuss Saturday's second scrimmage, and one of the notable comments out of his media availability was an update on the running backs. Smith said sophomore running backs Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier both took a step forward, according to a social media post from Chris Solari of the Detroit Free Press. This statement aligns with a statement from Locked On Spartans' Matt Sheehan, who said on Sunday's episode that he's hearing Tullis and Frazier are emerging as the Spartans' top running backs during fall preseason camp.
Both Tullis and Frazier are young running backs with limited experience at the college level. The two combined for 14 carries for 41 yards during their freshman season last year as primary reserves behind starters Nathan Carter and Kay'ron Lynch-Adams.
Sacaromento State transfer Elijah Tau-Tolliver and true freshman Jace Clarizio are also in the mix for playing time at running back for the Spartans. While it appears Tullis and Frazier may be pulling ahead, I would anticipate at least one of them (if not both) to still get carries in next week's opener against Western Michigan.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
3 minutes ago
- USA Today
Sophie Cunningham thanks Fever fans after MRI injury update
After receiving news of the disastrous MRI results on her injured right knee, Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham expressed on her social media platforms that she is thankful for the fans' outpouring of support as she embarks on a tough recovery into the offseason. Cunningham's injury occurred in Sunday's 99-93 OT win over the Suns when Connecticut guard Bria Hartley made contact with Cunningham's lower right leg after Hartley attempted to penetrate a double-team in the low post. Following the collision, the former Missouri guard clutched at her right knee while screaming in pain. Unfortunately for Cunningham, the injury came at a rather rude time as she had celebrated her 29th birthday the day prior. In a grateful manner, Cunningham took to her social media platforms on Tuesday to thank fans for both their birthday blessings and best wishes for a swift recovery. Cunningham, who is an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2025 WNBA calendar year, will finish her first year with the Fever averaging 8.6 points, 3.5 rebounds, 1.2 assists per game on 46.9% shooting from the field, 43.2% from 3-point territory, and 87.5% from the free-throw line. Cunningham made 13 starts over 30 games played. The silver lining in Cunningham's injury is that she should be near or at full recovery from the injury by the start of the 2026 season, given the WNBA's lengthy offseason, which is at least seven months long. While Cunningham will be sidelined for the remainder of the season, she will still be able to provide energy from the bench as the Fever make a late-season push towards the 2025 WNBA Playoffs. Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews.
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Will Stein sees comparison between Dante Moore and Teddy Bridgewater
Though Dante Moore has yet to officially be named the Oregon Ducks' starting quarterback, offensive coordinator Will Stein offered some high praise for the redshirt sophomore passer following Tuesday's fall camp practice. "As he got here, you could see that his talent has flourished," Stein said. "So humble, he's willing to learn. He's a great blend of like Bo's football IQ, and (how) Dillon can just pull everybody together, which is really unique and special." The comparisons for Moore didn't end there, with Stein specifically likening him to a former teammate of his and a current 10-year NFL veteran. "I think I've said this before but, he wears No. 5, he's got a glove on his left hand, I played with Teddy Bridgewater and he does remind me a lot of Teddy. Now, Teddy threw with a glove on his right hand. That's a lofty comparison for me, but he's just got that moxie about him, that it-factor that people just gravitate toward." Stein, a quarterback himself, played two seasons at Louisville with Bridgewater from 2011-12. During that time, Bridgewater threw for nearly 6,000 yards and 41 touchdowns, establishing himself as one of the top quarterbacks in the country and an eventual 2014 first-round pick. Moore hasn't had similar success to Bridgewater quite yet. As a true freshman in five starts and nine appearances at UCLA, the former five-star completed just 53.5% of his passes and threw 11 touchdowns versus nine interceptions. He threw just eight passes a season ago as Dillon Gabriel's backup with the Ducks. While the start to Moore's career has been underwhelming, Stein's hope is that he can coax the potential out of him. And Stein surely believes in his presumed starting quarterback, noting that he has the "it-factor," — something all great passers have. Contact/Follow @Ducks_Wire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Oregon Ducks news, notes, and opinions.
USA Today
33 minutes ago
- USA Today
Notre Dame's Niele Ivey tweaks coaching staff, promotes Carlos Knox to assistant coach
Coming off her fourth consecutive Sweet 16 appearance, Notre Dame women's head basketball coach Niele Ivey made a tweak to her coaching staff ahead of the 2025-26 season. After two successful years as director of player personnel for the program, Carlos Knox has been promoted to assistant coach ahead of his third season in South Bend. Knox has been praised for helping develop many of ND's student-athletes, including 2025 WNBA Draft picks Liatu King and Maddy Westbeld. Last season, King broke the Notre Dame single-season record for rebounds per game (10.4) and was named to the all-ACC second team. The previous year, Westbeld was one of four players in the ACC to average at least 14.0 points and 8.0 rebounds. Before his time in South Bend, Knox worked almost a decade with the Indiana Fever in multiple roles and helped lead the team to eight consecutive WNBA playoff appearances, including the 2012 WNBA championship. Knox was a two-time NCAA scoring champion, NCAA All-American and NCAA Player of the Year for IUPUI. After college, he played for the Indiana Pacers from 1998-99 and played overseas in Croatia, Germany, Venezuela and Italy. He has also been a head coach in the International Basketball League, Continental Basketball Association and American Basketball Association. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
