EAST LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – The addition of the transfer portal to the NCAA in the past three years has brought a new way for recruiting for all programs. Along with addition of an extra year of eligibility due to the COVID year, players are now choosing to leave a program after graduating and moving onto another program for their final year. The portal has also introduced a new way to recruit players that may not like their situation at one school and will now transfer to another school announcing they are in the portal and open for recruiting.

With all that being said, Michigan State has been working the portal for the 2023 season. This year, they have lost 21 players but added 15 new players. Three players that headline the portal on April 30 is starting quarterback Payton Thorne, wide receiver Keon Coleman, and defensive back Charles Brantley. Thorne has 6,400 yards passing, 49 touchdowns, and 29 interceptions in in 29 games played. Coleman led the team with 798 yards receiving this past year.

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As 21 players depart, 15 players are coming in. UConn’s top running back, Nathan Carter, has committed to come for the new season. He had 983 yards rushing with three touchdowns. Another running back coming in is Jaren Mangham from South Florida who has 1,251 career rushing yards and will join his brother, Jaden, on the team. Brantley had 66 tackles and two interceptions as a starter last season.

One big addition to the class will be coming from the junior college setting in Keyshawn Blackstock. He played for Coffeyville C.C. as an offensive lineman and was the no. 1 offensive lineman in the 2023 JUCO class and no. 3 overall prospect.

Head coach Mel Tucker said after the final spring practice, ”We have to play the players that give us the best chance to win at every position and quarterback’s no different. We’re expecting a pretty fierce competition during the spring, throughout the summer and into fall camp.”

Thorne leaves MSU as a graduate transfer after receiving his degree.