My colleague and Twitter friend Connor Muldowney wrote about a major transfer portal move<\/a> coming out of Champaign, Ill. But why does Michigan State football care?<\/p>\n That player is class of 2024 four-star offensive lineman Andrew Dennis, a former Spartan commit.<\/p>\n Dennis was a four-star recruit and the building block for former head coach Mel Tucker\u2019s class prior to being fired mid season for off-the-field reasons.<\/p>\n The 6-foot-5 offensive lineman committed early in the cycle and was a vocal leader for the class. He\u2019d drive down every weekend on his own dime to spend time with other recruits who were visiting during the summer months. It was patently clear Dennis was born to be a Spartan and many believed he was so committed to playing in East Lansing that his pledge might weather the roller-coaster of a season the football program experienced.<\/p>\n Unfortunately, Dennis decommitted in October amid the disaster unfolding within the program. The final schools being considered were Clemson, Illinois, Purdue, and Penn State. MSU\u2019s crown jewel ultimately signed with Illinois and enrolled early.<\/p>\n Allen Trieu of 247Sports broke the news on Monday afternoon along with a very interesting caveat to the portal entry: Andrew Dennis wants to be closer to home.<\/em><\/p>\n Illinois freshman OL Andrew Dennis has entered the transfer portal.<\/p>\n Dennis cites a desire to be closer to home as a reason.\u00a0<\/p>\n Was a four-star prospect in the 2024 class who enrolled mid-year at Illinois and was working at center.https:\/\/t.co\/e509gTEpjV<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/vaqfOAR3ia<\/a><\/p>\n — Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) April 29, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n