Michigan State football getting visit from big-time Arizona State transfer CB

Michigan State football will be getting a visit from big-time Arizona State transfer cornerback Edward Woods.

For years, the defensive backfield has been the weakest position group for Michigan State football. While there were few strengths, the defensive backfield really held the Spartans back during the Mel Tucker era — especially in 2021. If the Spartans had a good pass defense that year, we may have been talking about a playoff berth.

But we’re past that now.

Michigan State has hired some really good defensive backs coaches in Blue Adams and Demetrice Martin. It feels like the tides are turning for the Spartans in that area and that unit got some good news on Sunday night.

According to Corey Robinson of SpartanTailgate, Michigan State will be hosting Arizona State cornerback transfer Edward Woods.

Major News: #MichiganState will host #ArizonaState transfer CB Edward Woods on a visit tomorrow, per @C_Robinson247.

Woods was at #Alabama today & there was speculation he’d commit on that trip, but MSU manages to get him to visit.

One of the top CB’s in the transfer portal. pic.twitter.com/axpiK43jwH

— SpartanTailgate.com (@SpartanTailgate) April 28, 2024

This is a big visit because, according to Robinson, he was just on a visit to Alabama where many believed he was ready to commit to the Tide. But Jonathan Smith was able to convince him to see East Lansing before making a decision.

On Monday, the Spartans will host the Sun Devils’ starting cornerback from last season.

A year ago, he finished with 33 total tackles, three tackles for loss, four pass breakups, two forced fumbles, and an interception. He did a little bit of everything for Arizona State’s defense and he’s exactly the type of player Michigan State needs.

The Spartans have solid young talent at cornerback, but adding a proven veteran like Woods would be huge.

Smith has done a really good job in the portal this offseason, especially in the past week or so. In fact, he landed Indiana transfer Anthony Jones followed by Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams from Temple and then Brandon Lane from Stephen F. Austin.

We’ll see if Smith can make another splash with the addition Woods.