Michigan State football will host UCLA’s lead RB this weekend

The biggest weakness on offense this past season outside the offensive line had to be the run game. And for Michigan State football, that’s unacceptable but it’s been a common theme for years.

Well, help could be on the way as soon as this weekend.

According to his official X account, UCLA lead running back TJ Harden will be in East Lansing this weekend.

Visiting Michigan State University this weekend! @PeteThamel @premiumsportsla @GregBiggins @adamgorney @247SportsPortal pic.twitter.com/7kc8ufmgwH

— TJ Harden (@TomarionHarden) December 11, 2024

Harden led the Bruins in rushing this season with 506 yards and two touchdowns on 4.1 yards per carry. While those numbers aren’t all that impressive, he had an off year in that offense thanks to shaky offensive line play. He put up some impressive numbers in the receiving game, catching 40 passes for 368 yards and a touchdown.

But his best year was in 2023 when he led the Bruins with 827 rushing yards and eight touchdowns on 5.3 yards per touch. As a freshman in 2022, he averaged 7.4 yards per carry with 325 yards and two touchdowns.

Over his UCLA career, he’s led the Bruins in rushing twice and was second on the team in receiving in 2024. He also has over 2,000 all-purpose yards in three years and two as a starter.

Michigan State recently lost Nate Carter to the NFL draft after he chose to forgo his final season in East Lansing and Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, too, is moving on as he exhausted his eligibility. The backfield lost all of its production from the 2024 season which wasn’t a ton to begin with but the returners are Makhi Frazier and Brandon Tullis. Zion Gist and Jace Clarizio are coming in to help from the 2025 class.

Adding some veteran pieces with a history of production will only help this room moving forward, especially a guy with one year of eligibility left like Harden. He would be the perfect transition back with the four young guys behind him in 2025.

This would complete the Demetrice Martin trade.