Cam Edwards is officially a Spartan - and the Big Ten should take notice.
The former UConn standout, who racked up 1,240 rushing yards and 16 total touchdowns in 2025, brings a dynamic mix of power, vision, and versatility to Michigan State’s backfield. He was one of the top running backs in the Group of Five last season, and his production wasn’t just volume-based - it was explosive, efficient, and consistent. Add in 187 receiving yards, and you've got a back who can stay on the field all three downs.
Now, he steps into a Michigan State program that’s turning the page under new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, and Edwards looks poised to be a central figure in that transition.
This isn’t the first time the Spartans have dipped into UConn’s backfield for talent. Nate Carter made a similar move a couple of years ago, and while he showed flashes, he never quite hit his ceiling in East Lansing.
Carter ran for 1,297 yards and nine touchdowns over two seasons, but he didn’t get much help from the offensive line - a unit that struggled to create consistent lanes or generate push at the point of attack. Even so, Carter turned enough heads to land a spot on the Atlanta Falcons' roster this past season.
That speaks to his talent and work ethic, but also underscores what could’ve been with better support.
That’s where Edwards’ situation starts to look different - and more promising.
Michigan State’s coaching staff believes it has made significant upgrades across the board, including in the trenches. The offensive line, which has long been a pain point, is expected to be more cohesive and better coached.
That’s good news for any running back, but especially one like Edwards, who thrives when he can get to the second level with momentum. He’s not just a between-the-tackles grinder - he’s a home-run threat with the ability to turn a crease into a chunk play.
Pro Football Focus seems to agree. Edwards enters 2026 as the second-highest graded running back transfer in the country, trailing only Caleb Hawkins, the North Texas product who’s now at Oklahoma State. That’s elite company, and it reflects the kind of impact Edwards is expected to have right away.
This also comes at a time when Michigan State fans are still buzzing from Kenneth Walker III’s rise to stardom - a transfer success story that ended with a Super Bowl MVP trophy in Seattle. Walker came to East Lansing from Wake Forest, exploded onto the scene with the Spartans, and won the Doak Walker Award.
He did all that behind a line that wasn’t exactly dominant, which makes his production even more impressive. Edwards may not be Walker - few are - but the blueprint is there: find a talented back, give him a real opportunity, and watch him take off.
Edwards has steadily improved each year at the FBS level, and now he’s walking into a situation that should allow him to take another leap. If the offensive line holds up and the coaching staff delivers on its promise, Michigan State might just have the next great transfer running back story on its hands.
The Big Ten has been put on notice. Cam Edwards isn’t just another name in the portal - he’s a potential difference-maker, and he’s got the resume to prove it.