Michigan State football: Geno VanDeMark commits to Alabama

After entering the transfer portal last week, former Michigan State football lineman Geno VanDeMark has committed to Alabama.

Well, that didn’t take long. After being in the transfer portal for just over a week, former starting Michigan State football offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark has found a new home.

On Saturday afternoon, the former Spartan committed to Kalen DeBoer and Alabama.

BREAKING: Former Michigan State OL Geno VanDeMark has Committed to Alabama, he tells @on3sports

The 6’5 320 OL will have 2 years of eligibility remaining

Played in 18 games for the Spartanshttps://t.co/oylStFfur9 pic.twitter.com/eNS8tWG85K

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 11, 2024

This is a bit of a shocking move because it felt like he may have transferred from Michigan State due to playing time but that no longer seems to be the case. It’s going to be tough for him to crack the starting lineup at Alabama, especially with the Tide adding some depth up front this offseason. DeBoer has himself a solid offensive line and it just got better on Saturday.

Disappointing doesn’t even begin to describe this move. VanDeMark likely would have started at Michigan State in 2024 but he opted to go the route of joining a win-now situation even if that means playing time is limited. Or maybe he’s that confident that he’s going to win a starting job in Tuscaloosa.

VanDeMark is now the second offensive lineman to enter the transfer portal and already find a new home. He joins Ethan Boyd who committed to Colorado just a couple of days after entering the portal last week.

The Spartans’ offensive line is taking decent shape but the depth is hurting a bit with the departures of VanDeMark and Boyd.

Right now, guys like Brandon Baldwin, Tanner Miller, Luke Newman, Kristian Phillips, and Ashton Lepo are projected to either start or play major snaps on the offensive line. VanDeMark would’ve likely locked up a spot on the interior, but he’s now going to be fighting for a spot on the two-deep at Alabama.

What an interesting offseason this has been.