Michigan State football has top-3 transfer class in the Big Ten

If you sat and listened to the most casual Michigan State football fan, they would tell you that the Spartans have lost a lot to the transfer portal and the additions have not moved the needle.

I’m here to tell you that’s simply not true.

The Spartans have lost 12 guys to the transfer portal so far and only two of them are rated above an 85 on 247Sports. The incoming class has five transfers rated an 85 or above — there are currently six incoming transfers as of Dec. 19.

The incoming class has been relatively solid so far with two likely day one starters at receiver, a starting offensive lineman, and a potential starting corner and RB1 on their way to East Lansing. Jonathan Smith has put in some work and there’s still a long way to go.

But even the transfer portal class rankings are bullish on the Spartans’ current haul.

It’s early, and these rankings are based solely on additions…

But the top three transfer portal classes in the Big Ten currently:

1. Minnesota (8th nat’l)
2. Wisconsin (9th nat’l)
3. Michigan State (11th nat’l)

Strong starts in roster building. pic.twitter.com/uUCtsnzpjm

— Ben Stevens (@BenScottStevens) December 18, 2024

Michigan State has the No. 3 transfer class in the Big Ten right now behind only Minnesota and Wisconsin. On top of that, the Spartans’ 2025 transfer class ranks No. 11 nationally. They have six three-star commits but a couple of them are close to four-star status. Guys like Elijah Tau-Tolliver, Joshua Eaton, and Omari Kelly are flirting with that fourth star while I think Chrishon McCray should be there, too.

Smith has upgraded this roster already through the portal and he’s not done. He’s going to address more key positions in the trenches and on the defensive side of the ball. When he does that, we can adequately grade this transfer haul. But for now, let’s not bash a top-15 class in the country.

Yes, Michigan State lost some guys that probably would’ve started next year like Jaylen Thompson, Charles Brantley, Ken Talley, Aziah Johnson, and Jaron Glover, but they’ve added a number of projected starters, too.

The Spartans are cooking in the portal.