Michigan State May Have a Breakout Star in Brandon Tullis, Says RBs Coach
As Michigan State football gears up for the 2025 season, attention has quickly turned to one intriguing figure in the running back room. Sophomore Brandon Tullis, a Dallas‑area product, is emerging as a potential standout. So much so that RBs coach Keith Bhonapha recently suggested Tullis “has a chance to be special.”
Bhonapha—now in his second season with the Spartans—has seen his fair share of promising backs and isn’t one to dish out praise lightly. Tullis, a 6‑foot‑1, 225‑pound power runner, impressed in spring practice with his physicality and frame built for the Big Ten grind. “A big back like that, if he stays dialed in, he will be an exciting player,” Bhonapha remarked regarding Tullis
Last year as a true freshman, Tullis saw limited action—just seven carries for 20 yards across eight games. Yet, his physical tools jumped off the tape, drawing comparisons to former Spartan Le’Veon Bell due to size and potential shiftiness. Analysts speculated that even a fraction of Bell’s agility combined with Tullis’s build could wreak havoc across the conference.
Michigan State’s backfield is in transition, having lost running backs Nate Carter and Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams to the NFL. Enter Sacramento State transfer Elijah Tau‑Tolliver, who rushed for 950 yards in 2024 and adds experience and reliability. But that’s not the whole story—sophomore duo Brandon Tullis and Makhi Frazier are expected to play significant roles in the offense moving forward.
In fact, Frazier and Tullis both lettered as freshmen in 2024, and they’ve seen reps in the spring that suggest they’re ready to compete for carries. Tullis’s side-by-side path with Frazier goes back years—they played youth football together in Texas—and both followed coach Smith’s path from Oregon State to East Lansing.
Earlier in the spring, observers noted Tullis’s punishing, fearless style in scrimmages. He piled up 48 yards on seven carries in one spring showcase, turning heads with flashes of power and emotional, industrial running style.
Tullis’s role in the offense seems particularly tailored for short-yardage and goal-line situations—areas where Bhonapha trusts him to “run through guys” rather than make them miss. That mentality fits his profile perfectly as a hard-nosed, downhill runner with clear ambition and hunger.
Heading into fall camp, the running back room is shaping up to be a force. With veteran presence from Tau‑Tolliver, youth and potential from Tullis and Frazier, and talented freshmen in the wings, the Spartans could be on the verge of reestablishing their historic rushing identity.
If Brandon Tullis continues on his current path—staying focused, developing his skills, and embracing his power—then Bhonapha’s bold words may turn out to be prophetic. For MSU fans yearning for a dependable workhorse back, Tullis may just be the answer.
