How Michigan State football transfers fared in 2023, Part 1

Michigan State football has lost a lot of players to the transfer portal in the last few years. Where all did they go, and how did they do?

In the era of the transfer portal, even the best teams see 10 or more players transfer every offseason. Whether they are walk-on, depth, or a star, they enter the portal and continue their collegiate career elsewhere. This offseason, I elected to undergo the biggest project I have done for this site: I tracked down as many former Michigan State football players that I could find and/or remember and recorded their statistics for the 2023 season.

In total, I tracked down 58 former Spartans who played collegiate football at the JUCO, D2, FCS, or FBS level this offseason. I would like to thank mlive for providing inspiration for this article, as well as giving me 47 former Spartans’ locations to start this list.

Today, I will be going through the first 32 players on this list. I did separate this list out into different categories. You will be looking at players with no statistics recorded, players that played lower level football than FCS, and players that were rotational in the Group of Five level. Multiple Spartan four stars, including a trio of Belleville High School football graduates, are featured in this edition.

Additionally, multiple former Spartans, now FCS players, were all-conference selections this year.

No stats recorded (11 players)

• Kam Allen, TE, SMU

Kam Allen was a member of Mel Tucker’s first class (2021) at Michigan State. He entered the portal following his first season, and has yet to record any statistics. According to SMU’s participation data, he did not play in a game this year.

• Christian Banks, WR, Eastern Illinois

Christian Banks was a walk-on quarterback for the Spartans and transferred following spring practice in 2023 on the same day as Payton Thorne. This is his third position on offense, as he started his career at running back for the Spartans. Eastern Illinois does not record game participation statistics, so I do not know if he saw the field.

• Antoine Booth, DB, James Madison

Antoine Booth was also a member of Tucker’s 2021 class, and transferred following spring practice in 2022. He transferred to the James Madison Dukes. Unfortunately, Booth did not the field this year amid the shocking 11-1 regular season for the Dukes. He did see the field in 2022 for a few games, however.

• Carson Casteel, LB, Vanderbilt (3 games played)

Carson Casteel is, yet again, a member of the 2021 Mel Tucker class. He entered the portal following the 2022 season, and was announced as a member of Vanderbilt on national signing day last year. He is the first player listed thus far to see the field, but did not record any statistics in his three games.

• Devontae Dobbs, OL, Davenport

Devontae Dobbs was a member of Mark Dantonio’s 2019 class. He was the crown jewel, being rated the no. 51 prospect in the nation and no. 1 offensive guard per 247Sports Composite. After struggling to see the field with Michigan State football, Dobbs transferred following the 2020 season. He transferred to Memphis, and then re-entered the portal in July 2023. He landed at the close to home Davenport University this season, where he did not play, per their official game statistics. Assuming Dobbs stays at Davenport, he will be joined by former Spartan defensive back Justin White next season.

• Michael Donovan, LS, Miami (FL)

Michael Donovan joined the Spartans as a walk-on in 2021, where he redshirted. Following an injury to Hank Pepper in 2022, he started the final seven contests for Michigan State football. With the on-scholarship Pepper due to return in 2023, Donovan transferred and committed to the Miami Hurricanes. He was beat out for starting long snapper, and Miami’s official site does not have a category for participation statistics. That said, he does not appear on their list of players with a tackle.

• Hamp Fay, TE, Oklahoma (1 game played)

Hamp Fay was the first of the Mel Tucker-era quarterbacks for the Spartans, being the class QB for 2021. Fay did not see the field as a quarterback for the Spartans, and then suffered a shoulder injury. He wound up moving to safety, and then tight end, for the Spartans. Following spring practice in 2023, he transferred over to Oklahoma. He saw the field for the Oklahoma-Arkansas State contest in September.

• Isaiah Henderson, DB, Ashland

Isaiah Henderson is a name many of you might not recognize. Henderson is a walk-on, joining the team as a freshman in 2022. He did not see the field, redshirting the entire season. With his big brother, team captain Xavier Henderson (a name all of you recognize), heading out to the NFL, the younger Henderson headed out to Ashland. He did not record any statistics this year, nor was he credited with a game played.

• Chris Mayfield, DL, Ohio (3 games played)

Chris Mayfield was a member of Mark Dantonio’s final class in 2020, and did not see the field for the Spartans. Following a season under coach Mel Tucker, Mayfield entered the portal post spring practice in 2021. He wound up at Ohio. This season, he played three games, but recorded no statistics.

• James Ohonba, OL, Louisiana-Lafayette (4 games played)

James Ohonba was a member of Mark Dantonio’s 2018 class for the Spartans. Ohonba played 20 games for Michigan State football in his 4 years, but primarily on special teams. He tried to land more playing time, heading down to Louisiana Lafeyette following 2021. He saw the field for four games this season for the Ragin’ Cajuns.

• Tyson Watson, DL, UMass (8 games participated in)

Tyson Watson was another member of Mel Tucker’s inaugural 2021 class. Following his first season as a Spartan where he did not see the field, he entered the portal. He transferred to UMass to be led by former Michigan defensive coordinator Don Brown. Two seasons in, and Watson has yet to record his first collegiate stat. He did play in 8 games this year, though.

JUCO/FCS (12 players)

• Chase Carter, DL, Incarnate Word (20 tackles, 4.5 TFL, 3 sacks)

Chase “Simba” Carter was member of the 2022 Spartan class. The former No. 4 prospect from the state of Minnesota saw the field for one game for the Spartans in 2022. Following the season, he entered the transfer portal. He moved down a level to FCS Incarnate Word, and contributed for the Cardinals this season. Following the season, he was named a FCS third-team Freshman All-American, and fourth-team All-Southland.

• Donovan Eaglin, RB, Alabama A&M (142 carries for 765 yards, 7 touchdowns, 9 catches for 65 yards)

Donovan Eaglin was the last prospect to commit to Mark Dantonio, as a member of the 2020 class. Eaglin redshirted 2020 and then had six carries in 2021 for the Spartans. He entered the portal after spring practice in 2022, and went to Alabama A&M. He was named to the third-team All-SWAC this season. His most impressive outing came against Mississippi Valley State, where he went for over 200 yards rushing.

• Trenton Gillison, TE, Tennessee State (13 receptions, 123 yards)

Trenton Gillison was a member of the 2018 class, coming in to the Spartans as a four-star tight end. Gillison found himself buried on the depth chart during his three years with Michigan State football. After he started to gain traction in Dantonio’s final season, Mel Tucker’s staff was lower on Gillison and the tight end saw less of the field. This might happen when the staff offers every portal tight end for multiple years running. He entered the portal upon the conclusion of the 2021 season. He played for Tennessee State this season and was not overly impressive.

• Parks Gissinger, TE, Furman (3 catches, 9 yards)

Parks Gissinger was also a tight end from the 2018 class, and played in eight games for Michigan State. Following four seasons in East Lansing, Gissinger entered the portal post spring practice in 2022. He recorded three catches this year, tripling his total from his time as a Spartan.

• Tommy Guajardo, TE, Wayne State (4 games played, 1 kick return for -3 yards)

Tommy Guajardo was another member of Dantonio’s 2020 class, and his career reflected the frustrations at the end of the coach’s tenure. Dantonio beat out an assortment of MAC schools for Guajardo, and then Guajardo did not see the field. He transferred out to Bowling Green State after spring practice in 2021. The Falcons also did not utilize Guajardo’s talents, and he moved down another level to Wayne State. Even at Wayne State, Guajardo did not see much of the field. He played in four games this year, and his only statistic is a returned kick for a loss of three yards.

• Michael Gravely Jr., DB, DuPage (36 tackles, 9 games, 4.5 TFL, 1 sack, 1 interception, 3 pass breakups, 3 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery)

Michael Gravely Jr. was another member of Mel Tucker’s inaugural class. Gravely enrolled early, but ran into trouble nearly instantaneously. He was suspended all of 2021 alongside Ricky White. Following the season, he transferred down to College of Dupage (JUCO). Gravely saw the field a lot this year, and had solid statistics. On top of that, DuPage won the junior college national title.

• Devin Hightower, LB, Rhode Island (4 tackles, 2 solo)

Devin Hightower was a member of Dantonio’s final 2020 class. He was rated as a top 20 member from the state of Ohio in his class. Hightower did not see the field under Mel Tucker, and transferred following spring practice in 2021. He walked on to Cincinnati, and then re-entered the portal following a season-ending injury and a lack of playing time in his two seasons. He played for the Rhode Island Rams this season.

• A.J. Kirk, DB, Jones College (1 tackle, 1 QB hit)

A.J. Kirk was a member of Tucker’s 2021 class. Despite an offer from Ohio State, Kirk’s talent did not translate well to the Big Ten level. Kirk did not see the field for the Michigan State football, even after multiple injuries and suspensions decimated the secondary. He entered the portal after spring practice early this year, and wound up at Jones College. Kirk only played in four games this year.

• Eli McLean, QB, Wayne State (51-for-93, 588 yards, 3 touchdowns, 5 interceptions; 43 carries for 157 yards, 3 TDs)

Eli McLean was a walk-on quarterback for the Spartans under Dantonio, and did not see the field in his three years at Michigan State. McLean entered the portal following the coaching change and the 2020 season, and went to Wayne State. He got his first chance at collegiate football this season, and earned his first letter.

• Kobe Myers, DB, Alabama A&M (4 tackles, 1 pass breakup, 1 fumble recovery in 5 games played)

Kobe Myers was a walk-on who joined the team during the COVID-19-shortened 2020 season. Following two seasons where he did not see the field for the Spartans, Myers entered the portal after 2021. He joined Donovan Eaglin at Alabama A&M, but Myers did not see as much game action as the running back. Myers saw the field for five games with the Bulldogs this season.

• Ant Williams Jr., WR, Alcorn State (12 catches for 140 yards, 1 touchdown; 3 rushes for 16 yards; 5 kick returns for 79 yards)

Anthony Williams Jr. was a member of Dantonio’s 2019 class, and saw the field in all 12 games for Coach D’s final season at running back. In Tucker’s first year, Williams saw a notable drop in playing time, with only two games played. He hit the portal in November 2020, and transferred to Akron. Williams played in 10 games with the Zips. He had his best season in 2021, with over 200 rushing yards and 74 receiving yards on the season. He transferred to Alcorn State and converted to receiver. Considering Williams, despite his smaller stature, was the Spartans’ power back at one point, this was quite the career trajectory for Williams.

• Theo Day, QB, Northern Iowa (204-for-336, 2,840 yards, 16 TDs, 15 INTs; 1 rushing touchdown)

Theo Day was a four-star quarterback in the 2018 class, and signed with the Spartans as the No. 17 pro-style QB per 247Sports Composite. Day only attempted three passes as a Spartan. Those three in a loss to Penn State where he was infamously benched for miscalling a play that resulted in a completed pass. Day also did not see the field for Tucker, and entered the portal post spring practice in 2021. He transferred to Northern Iowa. Following a stellar 2022 campaign (26 touchdowns to 6 interceptions), Day returned to earth this year. Ultimately, it was not the ending we would like to see for the once-hyped up prospect.

Contributors at the Group of Five level (9 players)

• Julian Barnett, DB, Memphis (24 tackles, 17 solo, 2 TFL, 2 passes defensed)

Julian Barnett joined Belleville High School teammate Devontae Dobbs as the leaders of the 2019 class. Barnett was the No. 57 ranked prospect on the 247Sports Composite and No. 8 cornerback. After beating out Alabama for Barnett, expectations were sky-high.

Unfortunately for Barnett, those expectations crashed down to reality.

Despite the high rankings at corner, Dantonio wanted to see the Belleville product at receiver. As a freshman, Barnett had 13 catches for 182 yards. Following the transition to Tucker, Barnett went back to corner. He started against Iowa as a sophomore, and recorded three total tackles for the 2020 season. He then transferred to Memphis following the season, alongside Dobbs. This season was the most productive for the former four star.

• Cole DeMarzo, LB, Wyoming (14 tackles, 6 solo, 1 TFL)

Cole DeMarzo entered as a member of Dantonio’s final 2020 class. In his two seasons at Michigan State, DeMarzo only saw the field one time. Following the 2021 season, DeMarzo entered the portal and headed off to Wyoming. Unfortunately, this season was a step down from 2022 for the South Carolina native.

• Dimitri Douglas, OL, Eastern Michigan (Participated in 12 games)

Dimitri Douglas was a member of Dantonio’s 2018 class. After enrolling early with the Spartans, Douglas did not see the field in his two seasons at Michigan State. Following this, the Saline product went closer to home and headed to Eastern Michigan. He saw the field for eight games in 2022, and then played in all but one game this last season. He did play in Eastern’s bowl game this year, too.

• Michael Fletcher, DE, App State (21 tackles, 4.5 sacks, 4.5 TFL, 1 pass defensed, 1 fumble recovery)

Michael Fletcher was a highly touted prospect coming out of high school. He signed with the Spartans as a four-star prospect in the 2019 class. He stayed close to home despite offers from Alabama and Kentucky, among others. Fletcher had a lot of promise, and that showed with the Spartans. He led the Spartans in sacks (3) in 2020. His first season, however, was his best season. He headed to Appalachian State, and this season is his most productive at the collegiate level.

• Kyle King, DL, Ball State (9 tackles, 4 solo in 11 games)

Kyle King joined Michigan State football as a member of the 2020 class. He received offers from fellow Big Ten schools Indiana and Purdue, but chose the Spartans. King saw the field as a redshirt freshman with the Spartans for eight games, and recorded a sack. Following the 2021 season, King entered the portal. He committed to Ball State, and contributed majorly in 2022. Unfortunately, this season was a step back for King.

• Terry Lockett Jr., WR, Eastern Michigan (3 catches for 34 yards; 1 rush for 6 yards)

Terry Lockett Jr. was also a member of the 2020 class. While the 2020 class has received a lot of criticism as the years have passed, Lockett was a player many fans were excited for. Unfortunately, his time as a Spartan was all of four catches for 22 yards in 15 games. Lockett left the Spartans during the 2022 season, and transferred to Eastern Michigan. Lockett saw more of the field, including a start against Toledo. In the Eagles’ bowl game against South Alabama, he had his best collegiate game, recording two catches for 29 yards. During the unfortunate post-game melee, it looked like Lockett was trying to pull players out of the scuffle.

• Jasiyah Robinson, DL, East Carolina (2 assisted tackles in 3 games)

Jasiyah Robinson was also, wait for it, a member of the 2020 class. He picked the Spartans over his only other FBS offer, Ball State. Robinson redshirted his only year for the Spartans, in 2020. Following spring practice in 2021, he entered the portal. In each of the last three seasons, Robinson has had the exact same stat line: two assisted tackles. His tackle total for this season also matches ECU’s win total of two.

• Ian Stewart, WR, Temple (6 catches for 48 yards in 6 games)

Ian Stewart was predictably a member of the Spartans 2020 class. Much like Lockett, Stewart was another prospect that had a lot of Spartan fans excited. He was a top-20 prospect in the state and had offers from both Michigan and Michigan State. Due to the logjam at the receiver spot, Stewart switched to tight end early in his career. Following the 2021 season, where he had his only catch as a Spartan, Stewart entered the portal. He chose Temple, and had two touchdowns in his seven catches in 2022. This season was a small step back for Stewart.

• Davion Williams, DB, Western Kentucky (28 tackles, 17 solo, 1 interception, 2 passes defensed)

Davion Williams was another high ranked Belleville High School product — 247Sports had Williams as a four-star, top-200 prospect in the 2018 class. He paved the way for Dobbs and Barnett the following year and headed up to East Lansing. He saw the field for three games in his first year at MSU, then saw the field for all of the 2019 contests. When the coaching change to Tucker occurred, Williams played in all games, but lost all traction he had gained in 2019.

Following the 2020 season, Williams transferred down to Western Kentucky, and got to see the Spartans in their 2021 Homecoming game. He also recorded a pick-six that season. Williams’ numbers this year reflected right around where they had been during his time at WKU. He did recover a crucial blocked kick in the Hilltoppers’ come-from-behind victory.

Additionally, he recently declared for the NFL Draft. Granted, Williams did not have much, if any, eligibility left.

Most of these names are familiar to me, but quite a few were ones I forgot about. A majority of the 2019, 2020, and 2021 classes did not end their career with Michigan State football. Part two of this article has quite a few more names from those three classes. In that article, I will be writing about Power Five contributors, Group of Five starters, and the Power Five starters. Stay tuned.