Fitzgerald masterfully rebuilds Michigan State, snatching top talent and filling critical gaps. Opponents beware: the Spartans' portal success is just beginning.
Pat Fitzgerald has been on a heater this week.
Adding transfer after transfer as he does his best to reload a Spartan team that found itself losing over 40 players to the portal.
Fitzgerald not only took the team over after one—if not the—worst seasons of all time, but also lost almost half the roster and still opened it with an excited smile on his face. Some may call him bullish, some may call him a fool, but with every Spartan head that gets posted on X—meaning a new transfer has signed with the Spartans—the chatter starts to turn into praise and fear from opponents.
The Spartans started the portal by setting the tone, landing one of the best offensive tackles available in Ben Murawski from UConn. They’ve continued to add trench help on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball, along with much-needed help in a secondary room that lost a lot of talent.
The Spartans then turned their attention to skill players, adding three different running backs, including Cam Edwards, who rushed for 15 touchdowns last season. They also added a Ferris State X-player who can fill in everywhere.
But the Pat Man doesn’t sleep and continues to shine the Pat Signal. The portal is slowing down, and the fast and furious week that ensued last week is always like Christmas time for college football fans who enjoy the portal—and a week of hell for everyone who just learned their favorite team’s players’ names.
Regardless of your view on the portal, this madness is here to stay and has truly opened up the parody of college football. At times, most thought the rich would get richer—myself included—but it’s been a true breath of fresh air. Just look at how well Indiana has done with it. From a team mocked for decades to now getting a chance at the national championship.
So let’s catch up on the newest commitments, visitors, and players leaving.
Commitments
Cam Stodghill – LB – Albany
The 6’3”, 216-pound LB/DB hybrid played in seven games last year for Albany before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Before the injury, Stodghill accumulated 56 tackles. In his college career, Stodghill has earned 102 tackles, 48 solo, and two total sacks. Stodghill will fit right into the Spartans defense, as he can play his way at linebacker and can also play defensive back, making him extremely versatile.
Fredrick Moore – WR – Michigan
Moore leaves Michigan after not achieving the goals he had set. Last year, he played just 18 receiver snaps and 45 snaps on special teams. Moore was expected to see a major role in the Wolverines offense but didn’t earn the stripes. As a sophomore in ’24, Moore caught 11 balls for 128 yards and a touchdown. He also added five rushes for 28 yards. As a freshman, Moore caught four receptions for 32 yards. Now Moore comes over to a Spartan team with a lot of open availability at the receiver position and plenty of vacated targets.
Staying
Rustin Young – OT
Young had hit the portal ready to take his talents elsewhere, but for whatever the reason, he has decided to stay at MSU. I like to believe Fitzgerald talked him down from the ledge and kept him here. Regardless of the reason, Young continues his career in East Lansing.
Young started five games last year—one at RT and the final four games of the season at LT. Those same four games were QB Alessio Milivojevic’s only four starts. A bond between the two may have been built. I expect Murawski to start at LT, with Young sliding in at RT.
Leaving
- Ashton Lepo – OG → Oklahoma State
- Evan Boyd – WR → Iowa State
The Spartans still have a few roster spots to fill, and with a week remaining in the portal, there’s no time to rest.