Michigan State football: Jaylen Thompson’s transfer is justifiable

Michigan State football has lost another defender to the portal. On the same day that wideouts Aziah Johnson and Jaelen Smith and long snapper Jack Carson-Wentz went to the portal, and running back Nate Carter declared for the draft, the Spartans lost freshman defensive back Jaylen Thompson to the portal.

Thompson was a three-star commit from the 2024 class, hailing from Riverdale High School in Tennessee alongside fellow Spartan Keshawn Williams. He committed under Mel Tucker and stuck with Michigan State football through the coaching change to Jonathan Smith.

But his departure makes sense.

In his transfer announcement, Thompson directly cited family health as the reason for his departure. While it hurts to not have the 6-foot-1 safety back for another year, it is understandable that the player from Tennessee wants to be closer to family.

In his one year as a Spartan, Thompson was the only true freshman defender to record a start, which he did three times in the final games of the year against Illinois, Purdue, and Rutgers. Thompson was thrust into the spotlight after a reserve role to begin the year due to the Spartans losing defenders Khalil Majeed, Dillon Tatum, and Malik Spencer by the time the 10th game of the season rolled around.

Thompson has a bright future ahead, and he and Justin Denson Jr. had split the snaps for those final three games. Additionally, Thompson appeared to gather his first career interception against Illinois, but video review ultimately overturned his called pick. Unfortunately, Thompson will wind up as a case of “what if he stayed as a Spartan?”

Ultimately, you cannot blame the talented defender, but you can ask those what-ifs.

Fortunately for the Spartans, the defensive back room, particularly at safety, is a spot where Michigan State football appears to be quite loaded. The Spartans stand to return (as of Dec. 6) Malik Spencer, Tatum, Majeed, Denson Jr., Armorion Smith, and 2023 three-star Philipp Davis. Additionally, the Spartans signed Evan Young as a safety on Wednesday’s Early Signing Day.

With three other defensive back commits and Keshawn Williams also available as an option, the Spartans can choose to bump a player back if they feel depth is thin. If next season plays out like last season, they might have to.

Thompson is the second defender and seventh player overall to enter the portal from Michigan State. He joins Jaron Glover, Jaelen Smith, Aziah Johnson, Jack Carson-Wentz, and Ken Talley. Additionally, it is assumed Antonio Gates Jr. will be hitting the portal after leaving the team prior to the Michigan-Michigan State contest.

Best of luck to Jaylen Thompson and thoughts for his family during this time.