Michigan State is revamping its roster, hosting key transfer targets like a promising running back and impactful defensive players.
The Spartans are in the middle of a full-blown overhaul, losing 29 players to the transfer portal from last year’s roster.
That roster went 4–8, so shedding a large chunk of it might not be the worst thing in the world. Yes, Michigan State is losing its leading passer, rusher, and receiver—but this was also a team that looked undisciplined and unprepared for the bright lights far too often. A lot of that falls on poor coaching and staff decisions, but regardless, if you want to build a new culture, you need to make drastic changes. That’s exactly what’s happening in East Lansing.
With nearly 30 roster spots to fill, time is of the essence for Pat Fitzgerald and his staff.
Now that the transfer portal window—open from January 2 through January 16—is officially underway, a handful of names have already surfaced as players Michigan State will host.
Per Justin Thind, Michigan State reporter for 247Sports, the Spartans are wasting no time getting prospects on campus.
The first name to emerge came around 9:30 Friday morning, when it was announced that Western Kentucky running back Marvis Parrish will visit East Lansing on January 6. Parrish, a true freshman with three years of eligibility remaining, rushed for 576 yards last season while averaging 5.4 yards per carry. He added one rushing touchdown and flashed his receiving ability with 36 receptions for 203 yards and another score. His best performance came in mid-November against Middle Tennessee State, when he carried the ball 12 times for 102 yards.
With Michigan State losing top rusher Makhai Frazier, an upgrade at running back wouldn’t hurt. That said, Tau-Tolliver, who stepped in following Frazier’s injury, seized the starting role late in the season and never gave it back. If Parrish ends up in East Lansing, the idea of those two forming a tag-team duo would be a welcome sight for a fanbase whose eyes are still scarred from last season.
Next up, Michigan State will again host a player on January 6, this time Troy EDGE DJ Jackson Jr., who is taking two visits—Kansas on January 3 and East Lansing on January 6. Jackson appeared in all 13 games for Troy this season, including their bowl game, totaling 22 tackles, five tackles for loss, two sacks, and a fumble recovery. Jackson would be a major addition to a Spartan edge group that was extremely lackluster last season, though it does return two of its better pass rushers.
Just minutes later, it was announced that Iowa State junior cornerback Tre Bell will visit Michigan State on January 3. Bell played in 12 games for the Cyclones last season, finishing with 36 tackles, four TFLs, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and a forced fumble. The Spartans are clearly prioritizing the defensive side of the ball, and landing Bell would be a huge boost to a secondary that has already lost multiple players to the portal.
Next on the list of players Michigan State will host is another defensive back, this time Louisiana Tech DB Michael Richard, who will be in East Lansing on January 3. Richard spent three seasons with Louisiana Tech, but it was last year when he truly exploded onto the scene. He finished the season with 39 total tackles, five tackles for loss, three pass breakups, and a whopping three interceptions—the first three of his career. Richard emerged as a premier ball hawk and would bring a much-needed nose for the football to this Spartans defense if he commits.
Lastly—though certainly not for long—the Spartans will host Georgia Southern LB/EDGE MJ Stroud on January 9. Michigan State will be Stroud’s third stop, following visits to West Virginia (January 2) and Colorado (January 6). Stroud has spent four seasons at Georgia Southern, with last year serving as his breakout campaign. He finished with 33 total tackles, 15.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two pass deflections. Stroud is drawing significant attention heading into his senior season, and if Michigan State can land him, he would make an immediate impact on the defense.
The Spartans will continue to host plenty more players, and I’ll be tracking all of it. Expect daily updates on who’s visiting East Lansing and what it means moving forward. With 29 Spartans already in the portal, major turnover isn’t just expected—it’s inevitable.