“Not one” Michigan State football player has expressed desire to transfer mid-season

Interim Michigan State football head coach Harlon Barnett says that “not one” player has expressed interest in transferring.

All eyes are on East Lansing lately after Mel Tucker’s suspension from Michigan State football and potential firing in a month’s time following an investigation into sexual harassment allegations.

Following the suspension without pay on Sunday, Harlon Barnett took over as head coach and spoke to the media for the first time on Tuesday. He was open about his desire to be the next head coach and said that he was meeting with all of the players individually.

So far, he’s talked with 27 players already and hopes to get to another 20 today.

In those conversations, however, a big topic of conversation might be something like transferring mid-season because of this current situation. According to Barnett, though, not one of the players he spoke to has expressed that desire to transfer.

“Not one, not one, nope, not one.”

Harlon Barnett on @StephenM_Brooks’ question regarding if any players have expressed plans to transfer mid-season by taking a redshirt season.

— SpartanTailgate.com (@SpartanTailgate) September 12, 2023

Definitely a good sign to hear this from the acting head coach. Obviously when something like this happens and your head coach is suspended and likely to be fired, the first thought about the team is players jumping ship. It doesn’t look like that’s on their minds at the current moment.

Things can change and we’ll likely hear more about potential transfers following the fourth game of the season against Maryland. Players are allowed to play four games and still retain their redshirt. If nothing happens then, we should feel good about Barnett’s player retention.

This is a good sign nonetheless.

From all accounts, the players are in good spirits and “fired up” about Barnett taking over and Mark Dantonio coming in to help out.

Maybe this will lead to a Michigan State football upset over Washington this weekend. One can only hope.