Michigan State football: 30 confirmed transfer portal targets

Michigan State football is off to quite the start to the offseason so far. Spartan Stadium has renovations planned, the Spartans flipped Jace Clarizio on signing day, but also lost the midseason MVP Chuck Brantley to the portal.

On the topic of the portal, the Spartans have been extremely active. Underneath nearly every portal announcement, Spartan fans are commenting. For every lineman, offensive or defensive, that hits the portal, Momma Hall is making sure we all know their measurables. Gavin Broscious has publicly tagged Jonathan Smith in another player’s portal announcement.

Based on social media posts (and no VIP boards or paywalls), there have been 30 players who Michigan State football has either reached out to, offered, or are bringing in on a visit.

Ready to meet the players, of whom multiple will likely be Spartans? Look no further.

RB Eli Sanders New Mexico

Eli Sanders rushed for 1,063 yards and nine touchdowns for New Mexico in 2024, including over 600 yards in the final month of the season. Sanders was the first announced visit to MSU. He has one year of eligibility left.

RB TJ Harden, UCLA

TJ Harden is the most experienced FBS running back on this list, with over 2,000 combined career yards rushing and receiving. He was a target by Jonathan Smith and Oregon State, as well as Michigan State and Mel Tucker. Harden is currently RB6 in the portal and has set up a visit with MSU. He also has a season of eligibility left.

RB J’Mari Taylor, NC Central

J’Mari Taylor is the most recent running back addition to this list, as well as having the most career yards out of the three targets. He enters the 2025 season just three yards away from 2,500 career yards from scrimmage, in addition to his 32 touchdowns. All of those come from the FCS level, though. He has a season of eligibility left.

TE Connor Cox, South Carolina

Connor Cox is the only confirmed tight end on this list. That said, with Michigan State football currently set to only lose Tyneil Hopper at the spot from scholarship players, it’s not surprising to see it as low priority. They also lost Ademola Faleye to the portal and gained high schooler Jayden Savoury. Cox had his first career catch last year, a nine-yard touchdown against Akron. Currently, it is his only career catch. Coincidentally, he has been in for nine career games. He has three seasons of eligibility left.

OL Kahlee Tafai, Washington

Kahlee Tafai played tackle for the Huskies this season, making his first four career starts. Against the likes of Oregon, USC, and Penn State, the young player allowed two sacks and 11 pressure in just over 150 pass block attempts. That was still one of the better marks for the Huskies, and Tafai will only gain experience from here. He has three seasons of eligibility left.

OL Luke Baklenko, Stanford

Luke Baklenko is another player who contributed early in his career, with five starts as a true freshman at Stanford as a tackle. He had more experience this season, starting every game. With 17 career starts now, he would be one of the more experienced players in the room as a true junior. He has two seasons of eligibility left but retains the option to redshirt.

OL Josh Thompson, Northwestern

Josh Thompson is a fellow Big Ten lineman, and played his high school ball in Fenton, Mich. He has a current streak of 18 games without a sack allowed, per 247Sports. The multi-year starting Wildcat has another visit lined up besides Michigan State, that being the school down in Ann Arbor. Thompson would be a massive recruiting win for Jonathan Smith. The stakes are high for the lineman with one year of eligibility left.

IOL Caleb Carter, Western Carolina

Caleb Carter is the only FCS lineman on this list. He has played in 33 career games, with photos of him showing the lineman at left guard. Western Carolina had a high-flying offense this season, with the Catamounts leading the FCS in passing yards. However, they also allowed a ton of sacks, being in the cellar for sacks allowed. Carter was on campus alongside Eli Sanders and 2026 quarterback target Kayd Coffman earlier in the week. Carter has one season of eligibility left for 2025 after taking a medical redshirt in 2023.

IOL Luka Vincic, Oregon State

Not to be confused with basketball All-Star Luka Doncic. So, maybe I cheated with this one. There is no official post for Luka Vincic anywhere, but the insider tags are all people on the Michigan State beat. Vincic is a player who originally committed to Smith and the Beavers and redshirted during Smith’s final year in Corvallis. That is correct, he is the same class as Aidan Chiles. Vincic started multiple games at center this season, and the Spartans lose fellow Oregon State transfer Tanner Miller. Smith might burn Oregon State football one more time, and I am sure X will be a great place after that. Vincic has three seasons of eligibility left.

IOL Carter Miller, Louisiana-Monroe

Carter Miller was originally a member of the Curt Cignetti-led James Madison Dukes. After Cignetti left, Miller hit the portal, but did not follow his coach to the Big Ten. He headed down south to Monroe, La., and started for the Warhawks this season. Miller has played in 28 career games, with 20 of them being starts. He has two seasons of eligibility left.

IOL Braelin Moore, Virginia Tech

Braelin Moore is another ACC lineman target for Michigan State football. He broke into the Virginia Tech lineup and was the Hokies’ starting center in each of the last two seasons. Moore is one of the most experienced Power Four linemen in the portal, and will have a lot of potential suitors. Unfortunately, LSU has been projected to land Moore. He will visit the Spartans, though. Jonathan Smith has a chance to sway the SEC-lean. Moore has two seasons of eligibility left.

WR Javon Tracy, Miami (OH)

Javon Tracy has 1,166 yards and nine touchdowns between the last two seasons as he and the RedHawks have advanced to the MAC Championship in back-to-back seasons. After his 818-yard campaign in 2024, he hit the portal. The Spartans came calling, and they are now one of four teams (Pittsburgh has barged into the list) bringing Tracy in on a visit. Fun fact about Tracy, he also threw a 30-yard touchdown this season. He has two years of eligibility left. His visit may be up in the air as of a recent update.

WR Reginald Virgil, Miami (OH)

Reginald Virgil was the receiver opposite of Tracy for the RedHawks this season, and hauled in a near-identical 816 yards this year to Tracy’s 818. Virgil accomplished this in fewer catches, averaging nearly 20 yards per catch, and also hauled in nine touchdowns on the year. At 6-foot-4, he adds the size element to the receiving game. The drawbacks on Virgil? This season was his first one with more than a single catch, and he only has a year of eligibility left. At the tantalizing size, the Spartans are willing to risk it. I would be, too.

WR Malachi Coleman, Nebraska

Malachi Coleman is both the tallest and least accomplished receiver on this list. At 6-foot-5, the receiver only holds eight catches for 139 yards in his career. Those all came in 2023, when Coleman was a true freshman and made his first six starts. He was poised for a breakout. However, he missed 2024 with injury, all after the Cornhuskers added freshman phenom quarterback Dylan Raiola. Coach Courtney Hawkins got to see Coleman in person in 2023, and he added two catches for 39 yards as the Huskers fell to Michigan State football in Harlon Barnett’s first career win. Hawkins must have liked what he saw. The former four-star and top-70 player in the nation has three seasons of eligibility left.

WR DT Sheffield, North Texas

DT Sheffield is a dynamic do-it-all speedster whose numbers do not do him justice. It feels weird saying that about a player who put up 11 touchdowns for the Mean Green last season, but if you pop in film, you will believe me. The one-time Washington State Cougar saw the field in 2023 before heading for a chance to be a star at North Texas. Now, he is trying to parlay that into a Power Four chance. On top of his 800-plus receiving yards this season, he added 86 yards on the ground on his four carries. He has a season of eligibility left.

WR Chrishon McCray, Kent State

Chrishon McCray has played for two really bad Kent State Golden Flashes teams in the last two seasons, but he has been the best player on the squad by far. He has put up 1,315 yards and 13 touchdowns between 2023 and 2024. He took a step forward this season, recording more yards and touchdowns on one less catch. My one concern is McCray’s listed size of 5-foot-10, 163 pounds, but I have faith in the staff and their ability to bulk up McCray for Big Ten play. He has two years of eligibility left.

WR Omari Kelly, Middle Tennessee

Omari Kelly is a former Auburn Tiger, playing with Payton Thorne’s squad in 2023. He left for Middle Tennessee and had a breakout 2024 with 869 yards and four touchdowns, including 239 yards and three touchdowns against Western Kentucky. He had four games this season alone with over 100 yards receiving. While not the most imposing player, he has the productivity that Courtney Hawkins can harness. The Alabama native would follow Quindarius Dunnigan on the path to Jonathan Smith’s squad. It would feel nice to land the top receiver from the school, as MTSU still haunts my basketball dreams. Kelly has a season of eligibility left.

WR O’Mega Blake, Charlotte

The best name on this list, by far. O’Mega Blake was a South Carolina teammate of Connor Cox’s in 2023 before taking his talents up a state to Charlotte. Blake produced 250 yards at the SEC level, and only upped those numbers in the American this season. He recorded 795 yards on 32 catches, which equates to nearly 25 yards per catch. Insanity. His best game came against FAU, where he added 205 yards and three touchdowns this season. I believe the Spartans would have loved that type of performance from a receiver in their 2024 opener against the Owls. He has one last season of eligibility left.

Defensive Players

DT David Blay, Louisiana Tech

Despite the Spartans losing their top two defensive tackles to graduation, Maverick Hansen and D’Quan Douse, the Spartans only have one defensive tackle portal offer that I have seen. They have offered David Blay, a defensive tackle from Louisiana Tech who put up 6.5 sacks this season for the Bulldogs. He ended the season on a high note, too, with four of those sacks in the final five games. Additionally, he added five sacks at D-II West Chester University before heading to Ruston, La. The Pennsylvania-born player has Big Ten size, measuring in at 6-foot-4, 303 pounds. He has been a part of 33 career games. Blay has one season of college ball left.

EDGE Sam Greene, USC

Sam Greene is another player with lower production total but a high recruit ranking (No. 481 in the class of 2023) and program transfer. Greene redshirted with the Trojans in 2023 before seeing the field in a limited role in 2024. He had his first career sack against Rutgers on his way to a 15 tackle, 3.0 tackles for loss season. Greene, despite his 6-foot-1 frame, offers a lot of upside. He would be a great rotational and developmental piece for Jonathan Smith and Joe Rossi. There is a lot to like on Sam Greene. He has three more years to develop, too.

EDGE/LB Clev Lubin, Coastal Carolina

If I could pick one player to lock into the Spartans for next year, Clev Lubin would be high on my list. Lubin was a one-year sensation for Coastal Carolina, and is looking to parlay that into a Power Four opportunity. Lubin had 9.5 sacks this season, forced three fumbles, and recovered a fumble for a touchdown. He was everywhere on the field. He excelled at rushing the passer. Now, what was the one thing Michigan State football struggled with? Rushing the passer. Lubin would be a wonder for the Spartans. He would fit perfectly in Joe Rossi’s “rush end” role. The best part on it: unless the NFL comes calling, Lubin would have two seasons to make a mark.

EDGE/LB Reginald Hughes, Jacksonville State

Reginald Hughes was another player who transferred out of the SEC for opportunity, shined, and now is looking to prove his worth against the Power Four again. After nine tackles in two seasons at Ole Miss, Hughes went to Jacksonville State. He recorded an astounding 83 tackles and 4.5 sacks this year, finishing with 10 TFL on the season. Hughes is another player that fits great into Rossi’s EDGE role, despite giving up a bit of size (6-foot-2, 230) to Clev Lubin (6-foot-3, 245). Hughes has one season left at the collegiate level.

LB/DB Jeffrey Ugochukwu, Vanderbilt

Jeffrey Ugochukwu, or Jeffrey Ugo, was a safety-linebacker hybrid for the Vanderbilt Commodores during his time in the SEC. After recording 33 tackles, one sack, an interception, and two passes defensed during his first two seasons playing for the Commodores, Ugo seemed poised for a breakout 2024. Unfortunately, he rarely saw the field, regressing down to 1 tackle against Alcorn State in September, despite being listed as a player to participate in all 12 games. Smith liked what he saw of Ugo’s film, and offered the hybrid player. He has one season of eligibility left.

DB Anthony Pinnace, Iowa Western CC

Anthony Pinnace is the only JUCO product to make an appearance on this list. The Ann Arbor, Mich., native was signed with Washington State in the 2024 cycle, but never stepped foot on campus. He reemerged for Iowa Western Community College this season, recording 17 tackles and four pass breakups in 10 games. With Michigan State football down multiple defensive backs in the portal, along with Ed Woods graduating, this is a position of high need. Pinnace has two seasons of eligibility remaining.

DB Ja’Keem Jackson, Florida

The former top-50 prospect is a stretch goal for Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football. Ja’Keem Johnson played in 11 games for the Gators as a true freshman in 2023, and seemed to be destined to breakout. Unfortunately, after his first two career starts in 2024, the defensive back was lost for the season to injury. He hit the portal, and everyone wanted to acquire his services, the Spartans among them. He is currently ranked as a top-60 option in the portal, with three years of eligibility left. Unfortunately, he is already being projected to LSU.

DB Ronald Jackson Jr., Montana

Ronald Jackson Jr. has had a long collegiate career, playing in parts of five seasons thus far. He has his COVID-year left, and hit the portal to utilize it. The former Belleville (Mich.) High product has 102 career tackles, three passes defensed, a forced fumble, and an interception spread between Akron and Montana. He has bounced between safety and corner during his career, and was timed with a 4.46 40 in 2019. Jackson has a season of eligibility remaining.

DB Raion Strader, Miami (OH)

Raion Strader, alongside Lubin, would be one of the top players I would want from the portal on the defensive side. The third Miami (OH) player offered has been one of the top corners in the FBS the last two seasons, being named a Freshman All-American and putting up two interceptions and 18 passes defensed this year. He was a walking “No Fly Zone” in the MAC, and now the Pennsylvania native looks to translate it to the Power Four. The staff has to try to pry him from other Big Ten schools, as Iowa has him on a visit. He has two years of eligibility left.

DB Jordan Allen, LSU

Jordan Allen is one of three SEC products to end this list. The LSU 2022 classmate of current Spartan Jeremiah Hughes has 20 tackles and a pass defensed in his first three years in the SEC. Allen was a player the Mel Tucker-led Spartans tried their hand at, as well. Now, it appears it is Smith’s turn to try for the Lafayette, La., native. He has two seasons of eligibility left.

DB Brice Pollock, Mississippi State

Brice Pollock was a former four-star out of high school, and lived up to the hype at Mississippi State. The Georgia native had 72 tackles, eight passes defensed, a forced fumble, and an interception in his two years as a Bulldog. He took off this year, recording seven of those pass deflections and his interception. At one time, he was the No. 2 corner in the portal, but recent rankings have him down at “only” No. 7. Regardless, Smith and Blue Adams will gladly take him to help out a secondary that was gashed by quarterbacks and injuries to end 2024. Smith has reportedly secured a visit with the prospect, all while Michigan failed to land one. Pollock has two seasons of eligibility left.

DB Jahlil Hurley, Alabama

Now, what would be a more fitting way to end this list than an Alabama player? After the Spartans nabbed Jace Clarizio back from the Crimson Tide on National Signing Day, Michigan State football could look to take another Alabama player in the portal. Hurley redshirted in 2023, and then only played sparingly in 2024 under new coach Kalen DeBoer. The Florence (Ala.) High School (same high school as former Michigan State football and target Jeffrey Ugo’s teammate Carson Casteel) product elected to go to the portal. At 6-foot-2, he has prototypical size for a corner, but the lack of production has the former top-50 prospect as a three-star portal player and the No. 15 corner. He has already set a visit with Michigan State, but also Missouri. Hurley provides a lot of intrigue, and it will be a good idea to monitor his recruitment. He has three years of eligibility left.

Remember what I said at the start of the article: this is just a list based on social media confirmations, and I am positive the Spartans have reached out to many more players, especially among the defensive line. The Spartans have quite a bit of needs to fill, as the offense has the promise of Chiles throwing the ball, while the defense has seen a lot of improvement since 2023. It is an exciting time in East Lansing. Relax, and let the offseason chaos happen.