Michigan State football loses starting safety Jaden Mangham to transfer portal

Tuesday has been a busy portal day for Michigan State football, losing two potential starters ahead of the 2024 season.

It’s been a busy transfer portal day for Jonathan Smith and Michigan State football, to say the least.

Earlier in the day, the Spartans landed Arizona State cornerback transfer Ed Woods over Alabama. Then, Ethan Boyd and Geno VanDeMark hit the transfer portal for the second time this offseason, followed by third-string running back Jaren Mangham.

There was chatter that his younger brother, Jaden Mangham, could follow suit, but everything was quiet until around 6 p.m. ET when the talented in-state safety decided to follow his sibling into the portal.

Michigan State DB Jaden Mangham entered the portal. He was a four-star recruit in the 2022 class. pic.twitter.com/w5zcCXRxbd

— NCAA Transfer Portal (@RivalsPortal) April 30, 2024

Mangham was one of the better defenders on the team and was coming off an All-Big Ten honorable mention season. He had 53 tackles, a sack, four interceptions, and three pass breakups in 2023 as the team’s starting safety. He was projected to be a starter in 2024 but opted to join his brother in the portal. While this is a huge loss, it might not spell the end of Mangham in the green and white because he could always decide to return and withdraw his name. We’ve seen that a handful of times under this new staff.

But for now, Mangham will be one of the most sought-after safeties in the portal.

For just the fourth time this offseason and third time in the spring window, I can honestly say this one hurts. Losing guys like Derrick Harmon, Simeon Barrow, VanDeMark, and now Mangham hurts the depth as well as the starting lineup. These guys were all projected starters and there’s a chance they’re leaving to see if there are better NIL offers waiting for them.

Unfortunately, that’s just the nature of the transfer portal nowadays.

For now, Michigan State football will have to roll with the defensive backs it has. There’s still time for Smith to hit the portal and land more depth and starting-caliber pieces.