Editor's note: This article was originally published on Jan. 8, 202 and updated: Jan. 12, 2024.

It has been six weeks since the 2024 football season concluded for Michigan State and head coach Jonathan Smith. Although the Spartans failed to qualify for postseason football in 2024, this does not mean the work has slowed down for the coaching staff.

Starting on Dec. 9, 2024, when the transfer portal officially opened up for the winter window for players looking for new opportunities, Smith and staff have been busy at work looking for ways to improve their roster and fill key needs heading into the 2025 season.

During his Early Signing Day press conference last month, Smith talked about his plans for the transfer portal after he had finalized his high school class -- signing 17 prospects in the 2025 class thus far.

“I think philosophically, just where the landscape continues to go, it’s probably going to be closer to this 50-50 mark (high school versus portal)," Smith said.

With that in mind, Michigan State was expected to add 15 to 20 players out of the transfer portal this offseason and so far that has just about come to fruition. MSU has already received 16 transfer commitments in the winter cycle. MSU will also look to bring in more players in the spring window (April 16 through April 25); but it is unclear if any such additions would be on the offensive side of the ball.

Sources tell Spartans Illustrated the plan is for each of the winter cycle portal commitments to be enrolled for the current semester. Classes at Michigan State start on Jan.13, and the deadline to add classes is on Jan. 17.

Obviously, there are a lot of new faces on the upcoming 2025 roster, so let’s take a look at what Michigan State is getting in these new additions and what fans might expect from them on the field in year two under Smith.

We’ll look at these incoming players position group by position group below, starting with the eight pledges on the offensive side of the ball for this particular piece.

After losing the top two rushers from 2024 in Nate Carter (NFL) and Kay’ron Lynch-Adams (out of eligibility/may pursue NFL), it was obvious Smith and assistant head coach/co-special teams coordinator/running backs coach Keith Bhonapha needed to add experience and production to this position in 2025.

Michigan State added both of those qualities in Elijah Tau-Tolliver out of Sacramento State. The honorable mention All- Big-Sky selection totaled 1,267 all-purpose yards (950 yards rushing) and nine total touchdowns in 2024.

With one year of eligibility left, Michigan State added a tailback who has nearly 300 career touches, and one who averages 5.6 yards per carry on the ground.

Tau-Tolliver’s ability to run between the tackles and catch out of the backfield will give the Spartans a weapon that can stretch defenses and be a diverse playmaker. Tau-Tolliver will most likely slot into a starting role and get the bulk of the carries in 2025, or at the very least, he will be strongly involved in the rotation.

If coming from the FCS level at Sacramento State fosters any doubt in what level of production Tau-Tolliver can bring to the Big Ten, look no further than the Peach Bowl MVP Cam Skattebo of Arizona State — an ex-Sacramento State transfer — to see what is possible in a transition to the FBS level.

Of course, this is not to say Tau-Tolliver will be the next Skattebo or will put up anywhere near that sort of production (Skattebo recorded 2,316 total yards and 24 combined touchdowns in 2024) — those sort of expectations are unrealistic and would not be fair to Tau-Tolliver — but Skattebo does provide evidence that successful FCS players often can and will produce at the Power Four, FBS level.

More information & analysis on Elijah Tau-Tolliver:

Sacramento State transfer RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver commits to Michigan State

Michigan State Transfer Outlook: Running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver

One of the brighter spots of the 2024 season was the emergence of true freshman wide receiver Nick Marsh, who broke Michigan State true freshman records in both receptions (41) and receiving yards (649).

Outside of Marsh and redshirt senior Montorie Foster Jr., production at the wide receiver position was inconsistent, and the depth chart has completely shifted. Foster has graduated, while Jaron Glover, Aziah Johnson, Antonio Gates Jr., and Jaelen Smith have all transferred elsewhere.

Obviously, there were many holes for the Spartans to fill in the wide receivers room. Fortunately, this was a clear point of emphasis for MSU, as there has been three additions at the wide receiver position.

The first commitment at this position was from Middle Tennessee State transfer Omari Kelly. The All-Conference USA first-team selection had significant interest from Power Four conference schools this cycle and chose the Spartans over teams like Kansas, Utah, Louisville and others.

After originally beginning his career at Auburn before joining the Blue Raiders, Kelly has one year of eligibility left. In 2024, he totaled 53 receptions, 869 yards and four receiving touchdowns.

In addition to these big numbers, Kelly was also All-Conference USA second-team selection for special teams, as he was an excellent punt returner. This addition of Kelly for the Spartans will provide quarterback Aidan Chiles with a weapon who can stretch defenses down the field. He will most likely line up outside, opposite of Marsh, but also has experience in the slot and can work there when needed.

With Kelly's production at Middle Tennessee and ability to make contested catches, expect him to most likely start and help upgrade the weapons Chiles has at his disposal.

More information on Omari Kelly:

Former Auburn and MTSU WR Omari Kelly commits to Michigan State

The next addition at wide receiver comes from Kent State transfer Chrishon McCray.

Like Kelly, "Big Play" McCray also earned All-Conference honors while at Kent State in both 2023 (first-team) and 2024 (second-team) while playing in the MAC.

McCray is an elite speedster, which is what MSU was missing in 2024 and will greatly help what Smith and offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren want to do with their offense. Having a swift-footed wideout in Silas Bolden was key to Oregon State’s offensive success under Smith.

McCray totaled 81 catches, 1,315 yards and 13 touchdowns over the past two seasons for the Golden Flashes. These numbers are even more impressive considering that McCray was perhaps the main focus on any Kent State scouting report, as the Golden Flashes won just one game in those two seasons and lacked other playmakers.

The general thought is that Michigan State could use McCray in the slot, but he played the majority of his snaps at Kent State on the outside, so the Spartans could move him around.

McCray has two years of eligibility remaining. He will likely play a very important role in the upcoming season and allow the offense to have additional options to exploit defenses with.