MAC Offensive Player of the Year Peny Boone expresses interest in MSU

The 2023 MAC Offensive Player of the Year, recently entered the portal following the conclusion of Toledo’s bid for the conference championship. He will have one season of eligibility left. His numbers are eye-popping, and the Spartans could certainly use the former four star’s skillset. 

Peny Boone put up 1,400 yards last season

Peny Boone is a local Michigan product, playing high school ball at Detroit Martin Luther King. Boone was a four star as a member of the 2020 class, ranking No. 367 in the nation per 247Sports Composite. He committed to Maryland prior to his senior year of high school. Following his senior year, Boone headed off to College Park and struggled to see the field his first two seasons.

After running for just over 250 yards and two touchdowns between his freshman and sophomore years, Boone entered the portal. 

He elected to move closer to home, committing to the Toledo Rockets in December of 2021. In his first year as a Rocket, Boone rushed for over 400 yards and three touchdowns. That was just a preview for this season, where Boone put up a mind-blowing 1,400 yards and 15 touchdowns as Toledo went 11-2. Boone had a ridiculous seven games where he went for over 125 yards on the ground, including a 200-yard game against Western Michigan. This all led to Boone beating out his quarterback and former high school teammate DeQuan Finn for MAC Offensive Player of the Year. 

With Finn also entering the portal, Boone elected to hit the portal instead of declaring for the NFL Draft this offseason. Allen Trieu then contacted the breakout star, where he stated that his priority is a team with a good offensive line. He then stated that he was open to any part of the country, but if his home state Michigan Wolverines or Michigan State Spartans came calling, “that would be nice.”  

Boone is a true power back. At 6-foot-1, 242 pounds, he can bully his way past the line and then run over the next line of defense. He has enough speed to turn a 10-yard gain into 20-25 yards, too. When I watched the Toledo Rockets play Eastern Michigan late in the season, Boone only ran for 52 yards. However, three of his 11 carries that night ended with the running back in the end zone. He will always be falling forward. Peny Boone is, in fact, that good. Boone would be an excellent pickup for the Spartans, as he would compliment the trio of Nate Carter, Jaren Mangham, and Jalen Berger excellently. 

Boone would enter in a program that has players buying in

Jonathan Smith’s coaching additions make Michigan State a priority for running back transfers. Between Jim Michalczik, who has coached up All-Americans on the line at Oregon State, and Keith Bhonapha, who has sent multiple running backs to the NFL, what is there not to like? There is a proven track record of success from the staff. They will maximize their players’ talents and abilities. 

If Boone were to land here, he comes to an offensive line that already has players buying in. Four Michigan State offensive linemen have entered the transfer portal and then came back following Michalczik’s hiring. Additionally, the Spartans bring in four star offensive tackle Rustin Young, and former four star Stanton Ramil will be healthy this season. 

On the running back front, the Spartans lose Jordon Simmons to Akron and Harold Joiner III to graduation. Nathan Carter, Jalen Berger, and Jaren Mangham are the top three on the depth chart, and then there is a massive drop off.

Mangham is the only other power back on the roster, but it is unknown if he will be returning for another season or if he will be headed to the NFL. Additionally, it is unknown what his eligibility status is. Berger is also coming off of an injury that saw him miss multiple games. Davion Primm, JoJo Martinez, and Jaelon Barbarin each saw the field for a few snaps, but none impressed. Primm fumbled against Richmond and was in the coaching staff’s dog house for the rest of the season. Martinez and Barbarin each suffered season-ending injuries right after seeing the field for the first time. The Spartans also do bring in Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier from the 2024 recruiting class. While eight scholarship running backs might be labeled as extreme, the rash of injuries last season may warrant it. Also, Mangham and Boone each have only one season of eligibility left. 

Peny Boone would be an excellent pickup for the Spartans, and they should certainly contact the former in-state product. Smith has worked his portal magic already, landing the top quarterback in Aidan Chiles. Can he land a top running back? Stay tuned, folks.