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Jersey Number 4
Elijah Tau-Tolliver
- Position:
- RB
- Ht./Wt.:
- 6-1 / 211
- Class:
- Redshirt Senior
- Hometown:
- Sparks, Nev.
- High School:
- Reed
- Prev School:
- Sacramento State
Career Bio (PDF)
CAREER NOTES: Transfer running back from Sacramento State lettered one season at Michigan State in 2025 . . . played in 53 career games (41 at Sacramento State from 2021-24; 12 at MSU in 2025) . . . had 17 career starts (14 at Sacramento State, three at MSU) . . . rushed for 1,966 career yards with 16 TDs on 347 carries . . . accumulated 3,632 all-purpose yards in his career (1,966 rushing, 1,132 kick return, 528 receiving, 6 punt return) . . . had 66 catches for 528 yards and two TDs . . . averaged 23.6 yards on kick returns (48 returns for 1,132 yards with one TD) . . . had eight career 100-yard rushing games (seven at Sacramento State, one at MSU) . . . ranked among Sacramento State’s all-time leaders in kick returns (42 returns for 1,038 yards) . . . scored 19 total touchdowns (14 rushing, two receiving, one kick return at Sacramento State; two rushing TDs at MSU) . . . collected 22 tackles on special teams (13 solo, nine assists).
2025 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Ranked second on the Spartans in rushing with 428 yards (5.9 avg.; 35.7 ypg) . . . ranked third on the team in carries (72) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (2) . . . ranked third on the team in all-purpose yards (646; 53.8 ypg) . . . had 18 catches for 139 yards . . . returned six kickoffs for 79 yards (13.2 avg.) . . . played in all 12 games with three consecutive starts to close out the season . . . played a total of 230 snaps on offense and 74 on special teams . . . led all players with a season-high 159 all-purpose yards (95 rushing, 54 kick return, 10 receiving) in his final collegiate game, a Spartan victory over Maryland at Ford Field (11/29) . . . finished with a game-high 13 carries for 95 yards against the Terrapins; also had a season-best three kick returns for 54 yards and two receptions for 10 yards . . . drew second straight start by opening game at Iowa (11/22) in offensive backfield and rushed 16 times for 35 yards, adding one catch for 8 yards and one kick return . . . scored on a 57-yard TD run on MSU’s first offensive play in Penn State game (11/15) for MSU’s first time scoring a TD on the first play from scrimmage since Sept. 11, 2021 . . . finished Penn State game with six carries for 79 yards, including career-long 32-yard reception and doubled season receiving output with eight catches for 73 yards in PSU contest after entering the game with just seven catches for 48 yards . . . the eight catches were more than his season totals of three and seven in 2022 and 2023, respectively, during his time at Sacramento State . . . the eight catches were also a season high and the second-highest reception total of his career (11) . . . had breakout game in contest at Minnesota (11/1), registering a season-high 127 yards rushing, highlighted by an 85-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, on 11 carries . . . the 85-yard run tied the ninth-longest rushing play on MSU’s single-game longest plays list, tying Sherman Lewis’ 85-yard scamper vs. Notre Dame in 1963 . . . the 85-yard run is the longest non-TD play in school history, as the other nine longest plays went for scores . . . along with tying the ninth-longest rushing play in MSU history, the 85-yard run was the longest by a Spartan since Kenneth Walker III’s school-record 94-yard rush for a TD vs. Rutgers in 2021 . . . the 85-yard run was a career-long rush, bettering his collegiate career longest rush of 70 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and overall, it was eighth career 100-yard outing of his collegiate career, as he had seven during his time at Sacramento State (2021-24) . . . the 127 yards marked the third-highest rushing total of his career, behind 141 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and 127 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (9/21/24) . . . registered five carries for 18 yards, adding two catches for 9 yards in Michigan game (10/25) . . . logged five carries for 13 yards in game at Indiana (10/18), adding three catches for 30 yards . . . had one rush for 2 yards and added first catch of season for 5 yards in UCLA contest (10/11) . . . was in on limited offensive and special teams plays at Nebraska (10/4) . . . tallied two carries for four yards in game at USC (9/20) . . . scored his first TD as a Spartan with a 22-yard scamper in the fourth quarter of the Youngstown State game, part of four carries for 37 yards (9/13) . . . had one carry for 1 yard and one kick return for 8 yards in Boston College game (9/6) . . . made Spartan debut in season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29), notching eight carries for 17 yards.
2024 SEASON (REDSHIRT JUNIOR AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Led team in rushing yards (950; 86.4 ypg), rushing touchdowns (7), carries (184) and all-purpose yards (1,267; 115.2 ypg), all of which were career highs . . . honorable mention All-Big Sky selection . . . had five 100-yard rushing games . . . started all 11 games he played in (DNP vs. Portland State) . . . had a career-high 38 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns . . . scored a total of nine touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving) to tie for the team lead . . . reached the century mark for the fifth time of the season with 100 yards on 11 carries (9.1 avg.) against Idaho State (10/26) . . . had a career game in the 51-48 double-overtime win over Weber State on Oct. 19 with 19 carries for 141 yards, including three touchdowns (5, 2 and 70 yards); also had 11 receptions for 85 yards to total a career-best 226 all-purpose yards . . . compiled 150 all-purpose yards against Texas A&M-Commerce (9/21) with 20 carries for 127 yards and three catches for 23 yards, including a 22-yard TD reception in the second quarter . . . had 111 yards on the ground on 21 carries, including an 11-yard TD in the first quarter, in win over No. 24 Nicholls (9/14). . . rushed for 74 yards on 14 carries and had three receptions for 10 yards vs. Fresno State (9/7) . . . opened the season with 113 yards on 22 carries and two TDs against San Jose State (8/29).
2023 SEASON (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Played in all 13 games as a running back and kick returner, including three starts in the backfield . . . the Hornets posted an 8-5 record and reached the second round of the FCS Playoffs . . . rushed for 387 yards on 64 carries (6.0 avg.) with seven touchdowns . . . also had seven catches for 38 yards . . . was the team’s primary kick returner with 18 returns for 414 yards (23.0 avg.) . . . finished with 845 all-purpose yards (414 kick return; 387 rushing; 38 receiving; 6 punt return) . . . posted five tackles on special teams, including four solo stops . . . had five carries for 39 yards (7.8 avg.) in FCS first round playoff win at North Dakota (11/25) . . . rushed for 99 yards on nine carries (11.0 avg.), including TD runs from 34 and 4 yards out, and had three kick returns for 91 yards vs. Cal Poly (11/11) . . . had a season-high 100 yards on just eight carries (12.5 avg.), including a 53-yard touchdown run, against No. 2 Montana State (10/21) . . . rushed for 59 yards on seven carries and also had one punt return for 6 yards and two kick returns for 51 yards for a total of 116 all-purpose yards vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (9/9).
2022 SEASON (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Played in all 13 games as a running back and kick returner . . . the Hornets went 11-0 during the regular season and finished the season 12-1 while reaching the FCS quarterfinals . . . rushed for 192 yards on 24 carries (8.0 avg.) . . . led team with 639 kick return yards on 24 returns (26.6 avg.) . . . had four kick returns of at least 40 yards . . . also had three catches for 34 yards . . . finished with 865 all-purpose yards (639 kick return, 192 rushing, 34 receiving) . . . collected seven tackles on special teams . . . had a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown to open the second half against Richmond in the first round of the FCS Playoffs (12/3) . . . rushed six times for 57 yards, including a season-best 22-yard carry, at Eastern Washington (10/15) . . . opened the year with 71 rushing yards on eight totes against Utah Tech (9/3).
2021 SEASON (FRESHMAN AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Appeared in four games to preserve his redshirt season . . . played 15 snaps at running back and 35 on special teams . . . recorded seven tackles on special teams (five solo, two assists) . . . tallied two tackles vs. UC Davis (11/20) . . . had two tackles and three carries for 9 yards vs. Cal Poly (11/6) . . . recorded three tackles on special teams in his collegiate debut vs. Northern Colorado (10/30).
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Named the Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year in the spring 2021 after an abbreviated spring season (fall 2020 season postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic) . . . played in four of Reed High School’s five games, missing one due to an injury, but still finished his senior season with 641 rushing yards and five touchdowns; also caught seven passes for 90 yards and a score . . . was ranked one of the best overall prospects in the state of Nevada in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports (No. 14) . . . closed his high school career with 2,404 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns . . . had a total of 3,462 all-purpose yards (2,404 rushing; 747 receiving; 214 kick return; 97 punt return) and 39 touchdowns (31 rushing; six receiving; 1 punt return; 1 kick return) . . . named the Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-region by the Nevada Appeal as a senior . . . also named second-team all-region as a linebacker that same season . . . had two 200-yard rushing efforts (251 vs. Bishop Manogue and 200 vs. McQueen with four TDs) . . . credited with 27.5 tackles, including 4.5 TFLs . . . returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Damonte Ranch . . . named the High Desert League MVP as a junior in 2019 after earning first-team all-league honors at running back and second team at linebacker . . . also named the Class 5A Northern Region Offensive Player of the Year . . . rushed for 1,404 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven 100-yard games . . . also had 24 receptions for 478 yards and three TDs . . . ran for a career-high 260 yards and four TDs in a victory over McQueen . . . also scored four TDs in a playoff victory over Douglas . . . finished the season with 42 total tackles, including three sacks . . . as a sophomore on the varsity team in 2019, rushed for 359 yards and five TDs while catching 10 passes for 179 yards and two TDs . . . played for Coach Tony Amantia at Reed High School . . . also competed in track and field and was part of the 4x100 relay team which placed third at the 2019 Nevada State Championships . . . son of Earl Tolliver and Tosha Tau-Tolliver . . . majored in sociology at Michigan State.
CAREER NOTES: Transfer running back from Sacramento State lettered one season at Michigan State in 2025 . . . played in 53 career games (41 at Sacramento State from 2021-24; 12 at MSU in 2025) . . . had 17 career starts (14 at Sacramento State, three at MSU) . . . rushed for 1,966 career yards with 16 TDs on 347 carries . . . accumulated 3,632 all-purpose yards in his career (1,966 rushing, 1,132 kick return, 528 receiving, 6 punt return) . . . had 66 catches for 528 yards and two TDs . . . averaged 23.6 yards on kick returns (48 returns for 1,132 yards with one TD) . . . had eight career 100-yard rushing games (seven at Sacramento State, one at MSU) . . . ranked among Sacramento State’s all-time leaders in kick returns (42 returns for 1,038 yards) . . . scored 19 total touchdowns (14 rushing, two receiving, one kick return at Sacramento State; two rushing TDs at MSU) . . . collected 22 tackles on special teams (13 solo, nine assists).
2025 SEASON (REDSHIRT SENIOR AT MICHIGAN STATE): Ranked second on the Spartans in rushing with 428 yards (5.9 avg.; 35.7 ypg) . . . ranked third on the team in carries (72) and tied for third in rushing touchdowns (2) . . . ranked third on the team in all-purpose yards (646; 53.8 ypg) . . . had 18 catches for 139 yards . . . returned six kickoffs for 79 yards (13.2 avg.) . . . played in all 12 games with three consecutive starts to close out the season . . . played a total of 230 snaps on offense and 74 on special teams . . . led all players with a season-high 159 all-purpose yards (95 rushing, 54 kick return, 10 receiving) in his final collegiate game, a Spartan victory over Maryland at Ford Field (11/29) . . . finished with a game-high 13 carries for 95 yards against the Terrapins; also had a season-best three kick returns for 54 yards and two receptions for 10 yards . . . drew second straight start by opening game at Iowa (11/22) in offensive backfield and rushed 16 times for 35 yards, adding one catch for 8 yards and one kick return . . . scored on a 57-yard TD run on MSU’s first offensive play in Penn State game (11/15) for MSU’s first time scoring a TD on the first play from scrimmage since Sept. 11, 2021 . . . finished Penn State game with six carries for 79 yards, including career-long 32-yard reception and doubled season receiving output with eight catches for 73 yards in PSU contest after entering the game with just seven catches for 48 yards . . . the eight catches were more than his season totals of three and seven in 2022 and 2023, respectively, during his time at Sacramento State . . . the eight catches were also a season high and the second-highest reception total of his career (11) . . . had breakout game in contest at Minnesota (11/1), registering a season-high 127 yards rushing, highlighted by an 85-yard scamper in the fourth quarter, on 11 carries . . . the 85-yard run tied the ninth-longest rushing play on MSU’s single-game longest plays list, tying Sherman Lewis’ 85-yard scamper vs. Notre Dame in 1963 . . . the 85-yard run is the longest non-TD play in school history, as the other nine longest plays went for scores . . . along with tying the ninth-longest rushing play in MSU history, the 85-yard run was the longest by a Spartan since Kenneth Walker III’s school-record 94-yard rush for a TD vs. Rutgers in 2021 . . . the 85-yard run was a career-long rush, bettering his collegiate career longest rush of 70 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and overall, it was eighth career 100-yard outing of his collegiate career, as he had seven during his time at Sacramento State (2021-24) . . . the 127 yards marked the third-highest rushing total of his career, behind 141 yards vs. Weber State (10/19/24) and 127 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (9/21/24) . . . registered five carries for 18 yards, adding two catches for 9 yards in Michigan game (10/25) . . . logged five carries for 13 yards in game at Indiana (10/18), adding three catches for 30 yards . . . had one rush for 2 yards and added first catch of season for 5 yards in UCLA contest (10/11) . . . was in on limited offensive and special teams plays at Nebraska (10/4) . . . tallied two carries for four yards in game at USC (9/20) . . . scored his first TD as a Spartan with a 22-yard scamper in the fourth quarter of the Youngstown State game, part of four carries for 37 yards (9/13) . . . had one carry for 1 yard and one kick return for 8 yards in Boston College game (9/6) . . . made Spartan debut in season opener vs. Western Michigan (8/29), notching eight carries for 17 yards.
2024 SEASON (REDSHIRT JUNIOR AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Led team in rushing yards (950; 86.4 ypg), rushing touchdowns (7), carries (184) and all-purpose yards (1,267; 115.2 ypg), all of which were career highs . . . honorable mention All-Big Sky selection . . . had five 100-yard rushing games . . . started all 11 games he played in (DNP vs. Portland State) . . . had a career-high 38 receptions for 317 yards and two touchdowns . . . scored a total of nine touchdowns (seven rushing, two receiving) to tie for the team lead . . . reached the century mark for the fifth time of the season with 100 yards on 11 carries (9.1 avg.) against Idaho State (10/26) . . . had a career game in the 51-48 double-overtime win over Weber State on Oct. 19 with 19 carries for 141 yards, including three touchdowns (5, 2 and 70 yards); also had 11 receptions for 85 yards to total a career-best 226 all-purpose yards . . . compiled 150 all-purpose yards against Texas A&M-Commerce (9/21) with 20 carries for 127 yards and three catches for 23 yards, including a 22-yard TD reception in the second quarter . . . had 111 yards on the ground on 21 carries, including an 11-yard TD in the first quarter, in win over No. 24 Nicholls (9/14). . . rushed for 74 yards on 14 carries and had three receptions for 10 yards vs. Fresno State (9/7) . . . opened the season with 113 yards on 22 carries and two TDs against San Jose State (8/29).
2023 SEASON (REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Played in all 13 games as a running back and kick returner, including three starts in the backfield . . . the Hornets posted an 8-5 record and reached the second round of the FCS Playoffs . . . rushed for 387 yards on 64 carries (6.0 avg.) with seven touchdowns . . . also had seven catches for 38 yards . . . was the team’s primary kick returner with 18 returns for 414 yards (23.0 avg.) . . . finished with 845 all-purpose yards (414 kick return; 387 rushing; 38 receiving; 6 punt return) . . . posted five tackles on special teams, including four solo stops . . . had five carries for 39 yards (7.8 avg.) in FCS first round playoff win at North Dakota (11/25) . . . rushed for 99 yards on nine carries (11.0 avg.), including TD runs from 34 and 4 yards out, and had three kick returns for 91 yards vs. Cal Poly (11/11) . . . had a season-high 100 yards on just eight carries (12.5 avg.), including a 53-yard touchdown run, against No. 2 Montana State (10/21) . . . rushed for 59 yards on seven carries and also had one punt return for 6 yards and two kick returns for 51 yards for a total of 116 all-purpose yards vs. Texas A&M-Commerce (9/9).
2022 SEASON (REDSHIRT FRESHMAN AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Played in all 13 games as a running back and kick returner . . . the Hornets went 11-0 during the regular season and finished the season 12-1 while reaching the FCS quarterfinals . . . rushed for 192 yards on 24 carries (8.0 avg.) . . . led team with 639 kick return yards on 24 returns (26.6 avg.) . . . had four kick returns of at least 40 yards . . . also had three catches for 34 yards . . . finished with 865 all-purpose yards (639 kick return, 192 rushing, 34 receiving) . . . collected seven tackles on special teams . . . had a 95-yard kick return for a touchdown to open the second half against Richmond in the first round of the FCS Playoffs (12/3) . . . rushed six times for 57 yards, including a season-best 22-yard carry, at Eastern Washington (10/15) . . . opened the year with 71 rushing yards on eight totes against Utah Tech (9/3).
2021 SEASON (FRESHMAN AT SACRAMENTO STATE): Appeared in four games to preserve his redshirt season . . . played 15 snaps at running back and 35 on special teams . . . recorded seven tackles on special teams (five solo, two assists) . . . tallied two tackles vs. UC Davis (11/20) . . . had two tackles and three carries for 9 yards vs. Cal Poly (11/6) . . . recorded three tackles on special teams in his collegiate debut vs. Northern Colorado (10/30).
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Named the Gatorade Nevada Player of the Year in the spring 2021 after an abbreviated spring season (fall 2020 season postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic) . . . played in four of Reed High School’s five games, missing one due to an injury, but still finished his senior season with 641 rushing yards and five touchdowns; also caught seven passes for 90 yards and a score . . . was ranked one of the best overall prospects in the state of Nevada in the Class of 2021 by 247Sports (No. 14) . . . closed his high school career with 2,404 rushing yards and 31 touchdowns . . . had a total of 3,462 all-purpose yards (2,404 rushing; 747 receiving; 214 kick return; 97 punt return) and 39 touchdowns (31 rushing; six receiving; 1 punt return; 1 kick return) . . . named the Offensive Player of the Year and first-team all-region by the Nevada Appeal as a senior . . . also named second-team all-region as a linebacker that same season . . . had two 200-yard rushing efforts (251 vs. Bishop Manogue and 200 vs. McQueen with four TDs) . . . credited with 27.5 tackles, including 4.5 TFLs . . . returned a kickoff 98 yards for a touchdown against Damonte Ranch . . . named the High Desert League MVP as a junior in 2019 after earning first-team all-league honors at running back and second team at linebacker . . . also named the Class 5A Northern Region Offensive Player of the Year . . . rushed for 1,404 yards and 21 touchdowns with seven 100-yard games . . . also had 24 receptions for 478 yards and three TDs . . . ran for a career-high 260 yards and four TDs in a victory over McQueen . . . also scored four TDs in a playoff victory over Douglas . . . finished the season with 42 total tackles, including three sacks . . . as a sophomore on the varsity team in 2019, rushed for 359 yards and five TDs while catching 10 passes for 179 yards and two TDs . . . played for Coach Tony Amantia at Reed High School . . . also competed in track and field and was part of the 4x100 relay team which placed third at the 2019 Nevada State Championships . . . son of Earl Tolliver and Tosha Tau-Tolliver . . . majored in sociology at Michigan State.
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