Michigan State will have its leading rusher back next season, but the backfield depth just took a hit.

Redshirt junior running back Madre London announced via Twitter Friday afternoon he will graduate in May and forgo his final year of eligibility with the Spartans. He confirmed to MLive.com that he will be seeking a graduate transfer, which would make him eligible to play immediately for another program this season.

His decision came a little more than a month after running back LJ Scott announced he would return for his senior year.

Forever and Always will be a Spartan Dawg. 💯 pic.twitter.com/bfne8yLpaf — Madre London (@madrelondon) February 9, 2018

In a messaged posted on Twitter, London thanked Michigan State coach Mark Dantonio and the entire athletic department for giving him an opportunity.

"After long and deep introspection, I will be relinquishing my last year of eligibility as a Spartan, and, I am requesting my release from Michigan State University football," London wrote.

"I would like to thank the Spartan Nation for their dedication, and I leave with the strength, kindness, and wisdom that was given to me."

London is the fifth Michigan State player to transfer since the season ended. Redshirt freshman quarterback Messiah deWeaver left for East Mississippi Community College, sophomore receiver Trishton Jackson for Syracuse, freshman receiver Hunter Rison for Kansas State and Dantonio said freshman defensive end Lashawn Paulino-Bell is going to a junior college.

A former three-star recruit from St. Thomas Aquinas High School in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., London signed with Michigan State's 2014 class and took a redshirt as a true freshman. He started the first six games of the 2015 season before being sidelined with an ankle injury and then started just two more games the rest of his career as Scott took over as the featured back.

London finished third on the team in rushing in 2017 - behind Scott and quarterback Brian Lewerke - with 83 carries for 304 yards and three touchdowns to go with nine receptions for 62 yards and a score. He averaged a career-low 3.7 yards-per carry last season and finished his Michigan State career with 230 rushes for 924 yards and eight touchdowns in 33 games.

The Spartans will head into the 2018 season thin on experience behind Scott, who led the team in rushing each of his first three seasons and had 201 carries for 898 yards and eight touchdowns last season. Fifth-year senior Gerald Holmes, who was fourth on the team in rushing, played his last game for the Spartans in a Dec. 28 Holiday Bowl win against Washington State.

Only one other running back had a single carry last season and that was true freshman Connor Heyward, who finished with three rushes for 10 yards.

Three-star running back Weston Bridges signed with Michigan State's 2017 class but took a redshirt as a true freshman after suffering a knee injury the year before. The Spartans signed three-star running back Elijah Collins to their 2018 class, along with three-star athlete La'Darius Jefferson, who played quarterback last year but will start his college career at running back.