Michigan State football picks up key defensive back transfer from Cincinnati

Michigan State football picked up a key defensive back transfer in Armorion Smith from Cincinnati on Friday night.

The 2023 NFL Draft wasn’t the only thing catching the attention of Michigan State football fans on Friday night. Around the time Jayden Reed was hearing his name called by the Green Bay Packers, the Spartans were adding a key transfer.

So the Spartans lost a former transfer from the Group of Five in Reed and gained a transfer from the Group of Five almost simultaneously.

Mel Tucker went into the transfer portal and picked up a player at a position of need: safety. The Spartans do have guys like Dillon Tatum and Jaden Mangham but adding some talented depth is key. The defensive backfield has been a weakness for the Spartans during the Tucker era, but Armorion Smith should help fix that.

I’m coming home! pic.twitter.com/r2oH8oA3hZ

— Armorion Smith (@MarSmith500) April 29, 2023

Smith just wrapped up his redshirt freshman season with Luke Fickell and Cincinnati, posting 20 total tackles and an interception in 12 games. He decided to stick around despite the fact that Fickell left for Wisconsin, but entered the portal after spring ball.

It didn’t take the Spartans long to bring the Detroit native back home.

Smith played high school ball at River Rouge before committing to Cincinnati. He was actually a target for the Spartans in that 2021 recruiting class but he decided to stick with the Bearcats. Now, he’s heading back home to compete for playing time in a secondary that needs talented young depth.

Playing meaningful snaps at a program like Cincinnati as a redshirt freshman should be a testament to how good Smith can be. He can play at a high level against solid competition.

Harlon Barnett has to be thrilled with this addition to the secondary as he’ll now have options at safety and all of them are young, talented players.

Let’s bring the ‘No Fly Zone’ back.