Watch: MSU RB Brandon Tullis Speaks After Fall Camp Practice

Originally posted on Michigan State Spartans on SI
By Aidan Champion | Last updated Aug 7, 2025 4:58 PM ET

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Michigan State's running back room is in the midst of a competitive position battle, one that, aside from Elijah Tau-Tolliver, lacks experience.

One of the younger backs competing for the No. 1 spot is sophomore Brandon Tullis, who recorded just seven carries in his first season with the program. Now, he's fighting for a more impactful role, and he will have a chance to separate himself in the team's scrimmage on Saturday.

Tullis addressed the media on Thursday.

You can watch below:

Michigan State running backs coach Keith Bhonapha also spoke to reporters on Thursday. Below is a partial transcript:

Keith Bhonapha

Bhonapha: "That's a great question. I think for me, I enjoy coaching football. I was fortunate enough to do a couple of other things in life, with criminal justice and things like that. And I really feel like me being able to influence, develop and just kind of teach some life values is really important to me.

"And I've kind of found my groove in college football and with these players being able to do that with these players (on the) day-to-day. And I think about the guys that have influenced me, it's been coaches. So, I really feel fortunate to be in this position."

Q: How different of a fall is it when you have running backs who haven't been proven yet at the Big Ten level?

Bhonapha: "It's huge. I think you hit a couple things. I think guys that are unproven -- I think right now, if we talk about the right guys in the room, we got 14 reps of offense between all eight for Michigan State. And it just puts a higher level of urgency on the detail. I say higher level of urgency, but at the same time, having to scale back for some of it to level 1, level 2. And then, some of these guys haven't experienced a fall camp -- I think about Makhi (Frazier) and Brandon -- experienced a fall camp where it's a true competition where I'm trying to take the next step.

"I think about Jace Clarizio, where this is his first college fall camp, and just like Zion Gist. So, these guys are kind of learning, but at the same time, they're in the middle of it, so we need them to learn at an urgent pace as well."

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This article first appeared on Michigan State Spartans on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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