The spring portal is closed and it’s officially time to assess how the Spartans did in roster construction this time around.
The college football spring transfer portal has been closed for a few weeks now, and roster movement has started to slow down significantly. There are still some potential additions in the works for Michigan State, but, overall, we have a pretty good indication of what Michigan State will be working with roster-wise for next year at this point in the cycle.
So how would we grade the Spartans’ spring portal haul and roster retention? Would we consider them winners or again losers in the spring transfer portal?
Check out below the grades I’m giving for the Spartans during the spring transfer portal window for the three following categories: Retention, Additions and Overall.
Retention
Grade: A
For the first time in a few years, Michigan State didn’t experience any devastating departures during the spring transfer portal, which means I’m giving them a high mark in this category. Last year, a pair of starting high-level defensive lineman left via the portal in Derrick Harmon and Simeon Barrow. The year before that, it was wide receiver Keon Coleman and starting quarterback Payton Thorne who left the program via the portal. So when you’re only notable departures this spring are fringe starters in defensive back Dillon Tatum and edge rusher Anthony Jones, I’d consider the retention category a big success for the Spartans.
There were a number of backups and reserves who hit the portal, but none terribly notable and worth any alarm. The lack of big name players leaving Michigan State during this spring could be partially due to the lower talent level overall, but saying only that would undermine the coaching staff’s and program’s work in this area. So I’m confident and happy to give Michigan State a high grade in the retention category of our spring portal report card.
Additions
Grade: B
Michigan State didn’t make any big splashy additions via the portal but they improved the depth (maybe even added a few starters) in a couple of key areas.
The Spartans brought in a couple of edge rushers in Texas Tech transfer Isaac Smith and Georgia State transfer Cam Williams that should be in the mix for playing time next fall. This is an area Michigan State has to improve upon from last year, with the Spartans historically struggling to put pressure on the quarterback in 2024.
Another area that saw some boost via the spring portal window was the secondary. Michigan State added Bowling Green transfer safety Tracy Revels and UTSA transfer defensive back Anthony Pinnace via the spring portal. Both players have multiple years of eligibility and potential to be impactful right away for the Spartans next year.
There were some other additions during this window as well, but ultimately not a ton of flash to raise this grade to the same level of retention. Overall, though, I’m pleased with what the Spartans did in the spring portal knowing that there is simply not as much high-level talent in the spring window compared to the winter transfer portal.
Overall
Grade: A-
This high mark for the Spartans is grading on a curve since the spring portal is not as flush in movement and talent as the first offseason portal window in December. But overall, the Spartans improved their roster without losing any significantly key players as well. In comparison to the last few spring portals, this was a very successful window and one that Michigan State fans should be happy about as we turn our focus to the fall.
There may not be any massive game-changer additions, but we didn’t see any future first and second round picks leave this spring. That alone is a slam dunk for me, and gives me more hope for the Spartans getting back on track as we move forward into year two under Jonathan Smith.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Grading Michigan State football’s spring portal retention, additions
The spring portal is closed and it’s officially time to assess how the Spartans did in roster construction this time around.
The college football spring transfer portal has been closed for a few weeks now, and roster movement has started to slow down significantly. There are still some potential additions in the works for Michigan State, but, overall, we have a pretty good indication of what Michigan State will be working with roster-wise for next year at this point in the cycle.
So how would we grade the Spartans’ spring portal haul and roster retention? Would we consider them winners or again losers in the spring transfer portal?
Check out below the grades I’m giving for the Spartans during the spring transfer portal window for the three following categories: Retention, Additions and Overall.
Retention
Grade: A
For the first time in a few years, Michigan State didn’t experience any devastating departures during the spring transfer portal, which means I’m giving them a high mark in this category. Last year, a pair of starting high-level defensive lineman left via the portal in Derrick Harmon and Simeon Barrow. The year before that, it was wide receiver Keon Coleman and starting quarterback Payton Thorne who left the program via the portal. So when you’re only notable departures this spring are fringe starters in defensive back Dillon Tatum and edge rusher Anthony Jones, I’d consider the retention category a big success for the Spartans.
There were a number of backups and reserves who hit the portal, but none terribly notable and worth any alarm. The lack of big name players leaving Michigan State during this spring could be partially due to the lower talent level overall, but saying only that would undermine the coaching staff’s and program’s work in this area. So I’m confident and happy to give Michigan State a high grade in the retention category of our spring portal report card.
Additions
Grade: B
Michigan State didn’t make any big splashy additions via the portal but they improved the depth (maybe even added a few starters) in a couple of key areas.
The Spartans brought in a couple of edge rushers in Texas Tech transfer Isaac Smith and Georgia State transfer Cam Williams that should be in the mix for playing time next fall. This is an area Michigan State has to improve upon from last year, with the Spartans historically struggling to put pressure on the quarterback in 2024.
Another area that saw some boost via the spring portal window was the secondary. Michigan State added Bowling Green transfer safety Tracy Revels and UTSA transfer defensive back Anthony Pinnace via the spring portal. Both players have multiple years of eligibility and potential to be impactful right away for the Spartans next year.
There were some other additions during this window as well, but ultimately not a ton of flash to raise this grade to the same level of retention. Overall, though, I’m pleased with what the Spartans did in the spring portal knowing that there is simply not as much high-level talent in the spring window compared to the winter transfer portal.
Overall
Grade: A-
This high mark for the Spartans is grading on a curve since the spring portal is not as flush in movement and talent as the first offseason portal window in December. But overall, the Spartans improved their roster without losing any significantly key players as well. In comparison to the last few spring portals, this was a very successful window and one that Michigan State fans should be happy about as we turn our focus to the fall.
There may not be any massive game-changer additions, but we didn’t see any future first and second round picks leave this spring. That alone is a slam dunk for me, and gives me more hope for the Spartans getting back on track as we move forward into year two under Jonathan Smith.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page onFacebookto follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Robert Bondy on X @RobertBondy5.
This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Grading Michigan State football’s spring portal retention, additions
