The transfer portal, since its inception in 2018, has become a new way of acquiring players in college football. A new rule this season has been instituted which puts two transfer portal windows in place. The winter window opened on Dec. 5, 2022, and closed on Jan. 18, 2023. The spring window opened on April 15 and closed on April 30. Players are only allowed to enter the portal during these two windows but can commit to a new school or withdraw their name at any point. Graduate transfers are allowed to enter the portal whenever they want.
Michigan State head coach Mel Tucker has been active in the transfer portal in past seasons as he has acquired players like running back Kenneth Walker III, edge rusher/linebacker Jacoby Windmon and many others.
In the previous offseason, MSU acquired 10 players. With acquisitions come departures as well. The Spartans lost a total of 22 players to the portal from the ending of the 2021 season until the beginning of the 2022 season. Tucker has been heavily involved in the portal this offseason as MSU has acquired a number of expected contributors like running backs Nate Carter and Jaren Mangham, defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye and more. The Spartans have also lost a number of key players to the portal including quarterback Payton Thorne, running back Elijah Collins, wide receiver Keon Coleman, defensive end Jeff Pietrowski and more.
Keep up with all the latest Michigan State transfer portal news here:
Updates:
Sept. 7: Penn State transfer edge rusher Ken Talley commits to MSU
Nov. 3: Wide receiver Terry Lockett announces intention to enter transfer portal
Nov. 28: Kicker Jack Stone announces intention to enter transfer portal
Dec. 3: Defensive end Michael Fletcher announces intention to enter transfer portal
Dec. 5: Defensive end Chase Carter announces intention to enter transfer portal
Dec. 5: Defensive lineman Dashaun Mallory enters transfer portal
Dec. 5: Defensive lineman Jalen Hunt enters transfer portal
Dec. 5: Safety Kobe Myers enters transfer portal
Dec. 12: Wide receiver Germie Bernard enters transfer portal
Dec. 12: Norfolk State transfer tight end Ademola Faleye commits to MSU
Dec. 13: Linebacker Carson Casteel enters transfer portal
Dec. 13: Wisconsin transfer tight end Jaylan Franklin commits to MSU
Dec. 14: North Carolina transfer kicker Jonathan Kim commits to MSU
Dec. 14: Wisconsin transfer cornerback Semar Melvin commits to MSU
Dec. 15: Boise State transfer tight end Tyneil Hopper commits to MSU
Dec. 18: UConn transfer running back Nate Carter commits to MSU
Dec. 20: Florida State transfer defensive tackle Jarrett Jackson commits to MSU
Dec. 20: UMass transfer linebacker Aaron Alexander commits to MSU
Dec. 21: South Florida transfer running back Jaren Mangham commits to MSU
Dec. 21: Liberty transfer defensive tackle Dre Butler commits to MSU
Dec. 21: Texas A&M transfer defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye commits to MSU
Dec. 21: Junior college transfer offensive guard Keyshawn Blackstock commits to MSU
Dec. 22: Defensive back Isaiah Henderson enters transfer portal and commits to Ashland University (Division II)
Dec. 31: Long snapper Michael Donovan enters transfer portal and commits to Miami (FL.)
Jan. 2: Defensive back Tate Hallock enters transfer portal
Jan. 4: Running back Elijah Collins enters transfer portal
Jan. 6: Defensive end Jeff Pietrowski enters transfer portal
Jan. 14: Ohio State transfer long snapper Mason Arnold commits to MSU
Feb. 8: Ohio State transfer punter Michael O'Shaughnessy commits to MSU
April 15: Defensive end Itayvion Brown enters the transfer portal
April 18: Tight end Hamp Fay enters transfer portal
April 20: Defensive back A.J. Kirk Jr. enters transfer portal
April 28: Cincinnati transfer safety Armorion Smith commits to MSU
April 30: Quarterback Payton Thorne enters transfer portal
April 30: Wide receiver Keon Coleman enters transfer portal
April 30: Quarterback Christian Banks enters transfer portal
April 30: Cornerback Charles Brantley enters transfer portal
May 2: Cornerback Charles Brantley withdraws name from transfer portal
May 6: TCU transfer cornerback Kee'yon Stewart commits to MSU
May 8: Wide receiver Cade McDonald commits to Miami (OH)
May 17: Colorado transfer defensive tackle Jalen Sami commits to MSU
May 17: TCU transfer cornerback Kee'yon Stewart flips his commitment from MSU to Arkansas
May 26: Nebraska wide receiver Alante Brown commits to MSU
June 8: Miami (FL) cornerback Terry Roberts commits to MSU
June 17: Junior College transfer long snapper Drew Wilson commits to MSU
Note: Michigan State junior cornerback Charles Brantley entered the transfer portal on April 30 and withdrew his name on May 2.
Note: TCU transfer cornerback Kee'yon Stewart originally committed to MSU on May 6 before flipping his commitment to Arkansas on May 17.
Note: Junior College transfer long snapper Drew Wilson committed to MSU on June 17 but was added to the tracker on July 11.
Transfer Portal Departures (21):
-Quarterback, Payton Thorne – career stats: 29 games played, 524 completions, 860 attempts, 6494 passing yards, 49 passing touchdowns, 24 interceptions, 167 rushing attempts, 270 rushing yards, six rushing touchdowns. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that Thorne entered the portal on April 30. Thorne was the starting quarterback for the Spartans in 2021 and 2022. He announced his commitment to Auburn on May 5 via social media.
-Quarterback, Christian Banks – career stats: no stats recorded. Banks joined Michigan State as a walk-on running back in 2022. Spartans Illustrated confirmed Banks' entry into the portal on April 30.
-Running back, Elijah Collins – career stats: 42 games played, 353 carries, 1,506 rushing yards, 11 rushing touchdowns, 36 receptions, 260 receiving yards, one receiving touchdown. Spartans Illustrated confirmed on Jan. 4 that Collins was in the transfer portal after spending five seasons as a Spartan. Collins announced his commitment to Oklahoma State on Jan. 14.
-Wide receiver, Terry Lockett – career stats: 15 games played, four receptions, 22 receiving yards. It was reported on Oct. 8, 2022, that Lockett left the program. On Nov. 3, 2022, Lockett announced via social media that he intends to enter the transfer portal. Lockett announced his commitment to Eastern Michigan on Jan. 12.
-Wide receiver, Germie Bernard – career stats: 12 games played, seven receptions, 128 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns, six kick returns, 119 kick return yards. Spartans Illustrated confirmed on Dec. 12, 2022 that Bernard has entered the transfer portal. On Dec. 17, 2022, Bernard announced via social media that he will be transferring to Washington.
-Wide receiver, Keon Coleman – career stats: 22 games played, 65 receptions, 848 receiving yards, eight receiving touchdowns. Spartans Illustrated confirmed on April 30 that Coleman entered the transfer portal. Coleman was the leading receiver for the Spartans in 2022 with 798 receiving yards. He announced his commitment to Florida State on May 17.
-Wide receiver, Cade McDonald – career stats: 22 games played, five receptions, 46 receiving yards, five punt returns, 43 punt return yards. McDonald spent four seasons with the Spartans. The walk-on wide receiver was high school teammates with former MSU quarterback Payton Thorne and former MSU wide receiver Jayden Reed. McDonald announced his commitment to Miami (OH) via social media.
-Tight end, Hamp Fay – career stats: no stats recorded. Fay has also spent time at quarterback and safety. Spartans Illustrated confirmed on April 18 that he entered the transfer portal. In two seasons, Fay did not see game action. He was a three-star quarterback prospect in the 2021 class. Fay announced on Twitter on April 24 that he will be transferring to Oklahoma.
-Kicker, Jack Stone – career stats: 12 games played, 2-for-4 field goals, 15-for-16 on extra points, three tackles. Stone announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on Nov. 28, 2022. He later committed to Baylor on Jan. 5.
-Long snapper, Michael Donovan – career stats: seven games played, three tackles. Donovan joined MSU as a walk-on in 2021. He played this season after starting long snapper Hank Pepper missed time with an ailment. Donovan announced his commitment to Miami (FL) on Dec. 31, 2022.
-Defensive end, Michael Fletcher – career stats: 22 games played, 31 tackles, four tackles for loss, three sacks, two passes defended. Spartans Illustrated confirmed on Dec. 3, 2022 that Fletcher has entered the transfer portal. Fletcher will play for Appalachian State during the 2023 season, he announced via social media on Dec. 19, 2022.
-Defensive end, Chase Carter – career stats: one game played. Carter announced on Dec. 5, 2022 via social media that he plans to enter the transfer portal. He later confirmed that he was officially in the transfer portal on Dec. 6, 2022. Incarnate Word announced Carter’s signing on Jan. 11.
-Defensive end, Jeff Pietrowski – career stats: 23 games played, 43 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 5.5 tackles for loss, three forced fumbles and one fumble recovery. Pietrowski's 2022 season was shortened due to a leg injury suffered on Sept. 17 against Washington. He had his best season in 2021 when he totaled 33 tackles, seven tackles for loss and five sacks. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that Pietrowski entered the transfer portal on Jan. 6. Pietrowski announced his commitment to Wisconsin on Jan. 9.
-Defensive end, Itayvion Brown – career stats: 12 games played and five tackles. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that Brown entered the transfer portal on the first day of the spring window, April 15, following dismissal from the team due to gun charges.
-Defensive tackle/defensive end, Dashaun Mallory – career stats: 27 games played, 44 tackles, five tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass defended, one fumble recovery. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that Mallory entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5, 2022. Mallory announced his commitment to Arizona State on Jan. 8.
-Defensive tackle/defensive end, Jalen Hunt – career stats: 23 games played, 19 tackles, two tackles for loss. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that Hunt entered the transfer portal on Dec. 5, 2022. Hunt has since announced his decision publicly on Twitter as well. Hunt announced his commitment to Houston on Jan. 30.
-Linebacker, Carson Casteel – career stats: eight games played. Casteel redshirted as a true freshman in 2021. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that Casteel entered the transfer portal on Dec. 13, 2022. It was announced on Jan. 24 that Casteel will play for Vanderbilt in 2023.
-Safety, Kobe Myers – career stats: no stats recorded. Myers joined Michigan State as a walk-on in 2020. Myers left the program in fall 2022.
-Defensive back, Tate Hallock – career stats: 17 games played, five tackles, one forced fumble. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that he entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2. Hallock later confirmed his entry into the transfer portal via social media. Hallock announced his commitment to Western Michigan on Jan. 9.
-Defensive back, Isaiah Henderson – career stats: no recorded stats. Henderson announced that he entered the transfer portal and committed to Ashland University (Division II) on Dec. 22, 2022 via social media. He is the brother of MSU safety Xavier Henderson.
-Defensive back, A.J. Kirk Jr. – career stats: no recorded stats. Spartans Illustrated confirmed that Kirk entered the transfer portal on April 20. Kirk did not see the field in his two seasons as a Spartan. He was a three-star prospect out of high school. Kirk announced his commitment to Jones College (junior college) on May 29.
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Transfer Portal Acquisitions (18):
-Running back, Nate Carter, UConn –career stats: 17 career games played, 190 carries, 983 rushing yards (5.2 yards per carry), three rushing touchdowns, 24 receptions, 166 receiving yards. Carter committed to Michigan State on Dec. 18, 2022.
-Running back, Jaren Mangham, South Florida – career stats: 31 games played, 314 carries, 1,251 rushing yards (4.0 yards per carry), 23 rushing touchdowns, 20 receptions, 125 receiving yards. Mangham is the older brother of current MSU defensive back Jaden Mangham. He committed to MSU on Dec. 21, 2022, via social media.
-Tight end, Ademola Faleye, Norfolk State – career stats: 20 games played, nine receptions, 93 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns. Faleye committed to MSU on Dec. 12, 2022 after an official visit. He is listed at 6-foot-7 and 235 pounds and has two years of eligibility remaining.
-Wide receiver, Alante Brown, Nebraska – career stats: 22 receptions, 262 receiving yards, 16 kickoffs returned for 284 yards. Brown is listed at 5-foot-11 and 190 pounds, has up to two years of eligibility remaining.
-Tight end, Jaylan Franklin, Wisconsin – career stats: 41 games played, two receptions, 40 receiving yards. Franklin committed to MSU on Dec. 13, 2022 after an official visit. He is expected to be a preferred walk-on.
-Tight end, Tyneil Hopper, Boise State – career stats: 45 games played, 22 receptions, 259 receiving yards, two receiving touchdowns. Hopper has one year of eligibility remaining. He announced his commitment to MSU via social media.
-Kicker, Jonathan Kim, North Carolina – career stats: 32 games played (2022 excluded – participation stats unavailable), 0-for-1 field goals, 3-for-3 on extra points, 237 kickoff attempts, 63.8 yards per kickoff, 188 touchbacks, three kickoffs out of bounds. Kim committed to MSU on Dec. 14, 2022, after an official visit. He announced his commitment via social media.
-Punter, Michael O'Shaughnessy, Ohio State – career stats: one game played, one punt, 41 yards. O'Shaughnessy will have up to two years of eligibility left. He received an offer from MSU in late January and announced his commitment on Feb. 8 via social media.
-Long Snapper, Mason Arnold, Ohio State – career stats: six games played. He joined OSU as a walk-on in 2021. Arnold announced his commitment to MSU via social media on Jan. 14. As of July 2023, Arnold's Twitter bio now says he is a long snapper for Florida State and his original commitment tweet to Michigan State has been deleted.
-Edge rusher, Ken Talley, Penn State – career stats: no recorded stats. Talley committed to Michigan State on Sept. 7, 2022. He actually joined the team in 2022 but did not appear in a game and (likely) redshirted in his true freshman season. Talley was a four-star prospect out of high school and has four years of eligibility remaining beginning in 2023.
-Defensive tackle, Jarrett Jackson, Florida State – career stats: 33 games played, 45 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, two passes defended, one forced fumble. Jackson began his college career at Louisville before transferring to Florida State in 2019. He announced his commitment to MSU via social media on Dec. 20, 2022.
-Defensive tackle, Dre Butler, Liberty – career stats: 23 games played, 43 tackles, four tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one pass defended, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery. Butler previously transferred from Auburn to Liberty in 2022. Butler announced his commitment via social media on Dec. 21, 2022 after visiting MSU during the weekend of Dec. 16, 2022.
-Defensive tackle, Jalen Sami, Colorado – career stats: 40 games played, 83 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery. Sami previously played under head coach Mel Tucker in 2019 at Colorado. He announced his commitment on May 17 via social media.
-Defensive lineman, Tunmise Adeleye, Texas A&M – career stats: three games played, six tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss. Adeleye was a former five-star recruit out of high school. He announced his commitment on Dec. 21, 2022 via social media after taking an official visit the weekend of Dec. 9, 2022.
-Linebacker, Aaron Alexander, UMass – career stats: three games played. Alexander played his high school football at Belleville High School in Belleville, Mich. He announced his commitment to MSU via social media on Dec. 20, 2022.
-Cornerback, Semar Melvin, Wisconsin – career stats: 23 games played, 16 tackles, three passes defended. Melvin committed to MSU on Dec. 14, 2022 after an official visit. He has two years of eligibility remaining. Melvin announced his commitment via social media.
-Cornerback, Terry Roberts, Miami (FL) – career stats: 33 games played, 47 tackles, two interceptions, five passes defended, two fumble recoveries. Roberts spent five seasons at Iowa. He transferred to Miami after the 2022 season and re-entered the transfer portal on June 1. Roberts was spotted on MSU Football's Instagram page on June 8. He announced later that day that his recruitment was "now closed."
-Safety, Armorion Smith, Cincinnati – career stats: 12 games played, 20 tackles, one interception. Smith committed to MSU on April 28, 2023. He announced his commitment via social media. Smith played his high school football at River Rouge High School in Detroit.
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Junior College Acquisitions (2):
-Offensive guard, Keyshawn Blackstock, Coffeyville C.C. – According to Rivals, Blackstock is No. 3 prospect and the No. 1 offensive lineman in the 2023 JUCO class. He visited MSU the weekend of Dec. 9, 2022. Blackstock announced his commitment via social media on Dec. 21, 2022. He signed his letter of intent on Dec. 21 as well.
-Long snapper, Drew Wilson, Long Beach City College – career stats: 13 games played, 16 tackles, one fumble recovery, one interception. In addition to long snapping, Wilson played a little bit of linebacker. He committed to MSU over offers from Florida A&M and Idaho State.
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NFL Draft Entries (10):
Additionally, several Michigan State players have declared for the 2023 NFL Draft thus far, including some with college eligibility remaining (and those who have run out of eligbility). This section will be updated as more players announce their decisions.
-Running back, Jarek Broussard
-Wide receiver, Jayden Reed
-Tight end, Daniel Barker
-Tight end, Tyler Hunt
-Offensive tackle, Jarrett Horst
-Offensive guard, Matt Carrick
-Defensive tackle, Jacob Slade
-Safety, Kendell Brooks
-Cornerback, Ronald Williams
-Punter, Bryce Baringer
-Safety Xavier Henderson
This post will be constantly updated as more news comes out.