Tennessee adds ex-Michigan State RB Madre London as grad transfer

Michigan State running back Madre London runs with the ball against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
Michigan State running back Madre London runs with the ball against Rutgers during the second half of an NCAA college football game, Saturday, Nov. 25, 2017, in Piscataway, N.J. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)

Madre London will finish his career at Tennessee.

London, the ex-Michigan State running back, announced the commitment on Sunday. As a graduate transfer, the 6-foot-1, 218-pound London will be eligible to suit up immediately for the Vols.

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London hasn’t visited UT’s campus in Knoxville, but told VolQuest.com the opportunity to play for first-year head coach Jeremy Pruitt was too good to pass up.

“I feel like it is a good fit,” London said. “I like how coach Pruitt and the offensive staff feels about the running game. The SEC speaks for itself. Great players come out of the SEC. I just feel like it’s a good fit and I can compete and bring my game to the next level.”

London rushed for 924 yards and eight touchdowns on 230 carries over his three seasons for the Spartans. His best season statistically came in 2015, when he totaled 500 yards and three scores while averaging 4.3 yards per carry.

London, who is on track to graduate from MSU in May, plans to visit for the Vols’ spring game. At Tennessee, London will have the chance to step into the void left by John Kelly, who left the program early for the NFL. Ty Chandler, Kelly’s backup in 2017, showed flashes as a freshman, rushing for 305 yards and two scores. The two look like the Vols’ top two options entering 2018.

London is the second notable graduate transfer to choose Tennessee. Keller Chryst, the former starting quarterback for Stanford, chose Tennessee earlier this month. He will take on Jarrett Guarantano and Quinten Dormady for the starting role. Both Guarantano and Dormady saw significant action last year, but had up-and-down performances.

After going 4-8 last year, Tennessee opens the Pruitt era against West Virginia on Sept. 1 in Charlotte.

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Sam Cooper is a writer for Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him or follow him on Twitter!