Michigan State football lands productive DB from Eastern Illinois

The Michigan State football transfer portal class grew by one on Friday with the addition of productive Eastern Illinois defensive back NiJhay Burt.

Michigan State picks up a commitment from former Eastern Illinois DB @JBurt_3 Smith who had a highly productive season for themhttps://t.co/Mxnx3r5Z9A @SpartanTailgate

— Corey Robinson (@C_Robinson247) December 20, 2024

This was another one of those quiet recruitments in the portal that Jonathan Smith and Co. have been known for and it feels like he’s going to be a really solid depth piece in East Lansing. He started this past season and put up some numbers. In fact, he had 64 total tackles, three tackles for loss, five pass breakups, and three interceptions in 2024 with Eastern Illinois. He also had a pick-six as a freshman in 2023.

Over his two-year career with the program, he had 80 tackles, nine pass breakups, and six interceptions. He was the definition of a ballhawk who wasn’t afraid to go up and make a tackle in space.

Burt becomes the second defensive back commitment for the Spartans in the 2025 transfer portal class as Joshua Eaton from Texas State was the first just this past week. Both are coming from smaller programs but I wouldn’t be shocked to see either push for starting snaps.

Michigan State’s secondary improved rather drastically in 2024 compared to the Mel Tucker era when that was the main weakness on that side of the ball. Losing guys like Charles Brantley and Jaylen Thompson to the transfer portal hurt, but Smith decided to be proactive in the portal.

And it’s been working so far.

The portal haul for the Spartans ranked No. 3 in the Big Ten and No. 11 nationally as of Thursday afternoon and they’ve had two solid additions since. It feels like the right positions are being addressed, but now it’s time to add some serious playmakers.

Michigan State’s roster for the upcoming season is improving by the day and Burt is just the latest upgrade to an important position group.