Michigan State football lands Old Dominion DT transfer Jalen Satchell

Michigan State football picked up a commitment from Old Dominion defensive tackle transfer Jalen Satchell on Sunday.

It might be Sunday and Mother’s Day, but that hasn’t stopped Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith from putting in work.

The first-year head coach landed a commitment from Old Dominion defensive tackle transfer Jalen Satchell after a visit. He was originally committed to Houston via the portal, but he flipped to the Spartans on Sunday after checking out East Lansing.

GO GREEN !!! 💚 @MSU_Football @Hayesfawcett3 pic.twitter.com/2CqGPovXSL

— ~Satch~ (@JDSVIII) May 12, 2024

Satchell actually becomes the Spartans’ second transfer commitment from Old Dominion this offseason, joining talented linebacker Wayne Matthews III who is actually graded as the second-best transfer at the position by Pro Football Focus. The Monarchs have been kind to the Spartans this offseason, especially if Matthews plays to his potential and Satchell pans out and brings some much-needed depth to the position.

The defensive line has taken multiple hits this offseason because of the transfer portal. The Spartans lost Simeon Barrow (Miami), Derrick Harmon (Oregon), Bai Jobe (Kansas), and Andrew Depaepe to the transfer portal, and Brandon Lane from Stephen F. Austin was committed for a few days before mutually parting ways with Michigan State. It’s safe to say the line has needed a lot of help.

Smith has done a really good job of addressing that need and the line was thin before some recent commitments.

The two-deep should look much better now than it did a couple of weeks ago with Maverick Hansen, D’Quan Douse, Alex VanSumeren, and Ru’Quan Buckley to go along with Satchell. They also have Quindarius Dunnigan who can slide over to the interior.

Satchell began his career at Temple before transferring to Old Dominion before the 2023 season. He has 30 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, and a forced fumble over the past two seasons.

Michigan State football got better (again) on Sunday.