Michigan State football loses first defensive player to portal

On Friday, Michigan State football took a hit to their depth when redshirt freshman EDGE Stone Chaney announced his intention to transfer from the program. The defender was a late addition to the 2024 class, walking on as part of former head coach Jonathan Smith’s first class at the helm.

Chaney played in one game as a Spartan, but it was a promising debut. In only five snaps against FCS Prairie View A&M, the true freshman at the time recorded 1.5 tackles for loss in a two-tackle performance. However, with the additional depth brought in under Smith and staff in year two, he did not see the field or even dress for the Spartans on gamedays in 2025. The only time he was noted by the Spartans was when he was named a Scout Team Player of the Week prior to the Michigan contest.

Chaney is claiming he has four seasons of eligibility, likely signaling he was going through an undisclosed injury this season.

Now, in 2026, Chaney will look for a new squad to play for. He joins starting running back Makhi Frazier and star wide receiver Nick Marsh as players with intentions to portal. Additionally, he is the fourth lost defensive lineman for Pat Fitzgerald, with class of 2026 prospects Chris Addison, Christopher Knauls Jr., and Fameitau Siale all flipping or decommitting since Fitzgerald took the program over.

EDGE Room Outlook for Michigan State football in 2026

The outlook on the EDGE room is bleak for the Spartans currently. However, with a coaching change occurring, it is worth noting that Michigan State football could stray away from the EDGE position after lackluster results the last two years. If Joe Rossi leaves East Lansing, he could take the edge spot with him.

Currently, the room contains Anelu Lafaele, a Wisconsin transfer who had a promising start to 2025 cut short by injury, David Santiago, an Air Force transfer with 1.5 sacks and 24 tackles this season, Tyler Gillison, a player with two tackles in 2025, and walk-on Luke DeJager, who has yet to play in a game.

Additionally, transfer Isaac Smith, who started all 12 games for the Spartans last year, is rumored to be pursuing one more season of eligibility. He had one sack and 26 tackles on the season this year.

Chaney hitting the portal is not the end of the world for the Spartans, but the losses in the defensive line room are piling up. Perhaps this is a sign of a completely different change in philosophy under Pat Fitzgerald and his incoming hires. We should find out soon.

The portal should open on Saturday, according to NCAA rules that state the portal opens upon five days post-hire of a new head coach. There will be a 15-day window for players to hit the portal, and the regular January window. The Spartans officially hired Pat Fitzgerald on Monday, per an MSU Spokesperson.