Michigan State Football: MSU adds efficient linebacker from NC State

Auburn’s Caleb Wheatland, Albany’s Cam Stodghill, and Buffalo’s Dion Crawford were the first three additions to the Michigan State football linebacker core from the transfer portal. And with senior captain Jordan Hall and redshirt sophomore Brady Pretzlaff, alongside redshirt freshmen DeJae White, DiMari Malone and incoming freshman Adam Shaw playing in 2026, Joe Rossi and Max Bullough’s linebacker core is looking its best in years.

On January 13 though, the green and white added another premiere player to an already stacked room. North Carolina State linebacker Kenny Soares Jr. announced his commitment to Pat Fitzgerald’s Spartan Rebirth.

What does Michigan State football gain with Kenny Soares Jr.?

Soares Jr. has one year of eligibility remaining after playing last season at NC State. Before Soares Jr’s time as a member of the Wolfpack, the New Canaan (CT.), product began his collegiate career at Northwestern back in 2022.  Soares Jr. was a part of the Northwestern program for three full seasons, one of which was with Pat Fitzgerald as his head coach.

Currently standing at 6-foot-2, 233 lbs., Soares Jr. is a model example of a linebacker in the Big Ten. During his redshirt junior season at NC State, Soares Jr. played in all 13 games for the Wolfpack, notching 80 total tackles, which was good enough for second on North Carolina State, four tackles for loss, half of a sack and a fumble recovery.

Soares Jr. is ranked as the 14th best linebacker and 199th best overall player in the portal according to On3. The high ranking and impressive amount of production immediately brings Soares Jr. up to be a top option for the second linebacker spot besides Hall. The tackling concern of previous years also drastically declines with the addition of Soares Jr., based off of his 80 total tackles last season.

Bullough and Rossi potentially have found their last linebacker in this cycle.  The competition is fierce for a spot on the field.