An early projection of Michigan State’s depth chart on defense and special teams
Updated Feb 17, 2021;
Posted Feb 17, 2021
Michigan State safety Xavier Henderson (3) runs to the locker room for halftime of their Big Ten football game against Indiana at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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Michigan State’s defense already faced a significant challenge.
The Spartans lost seven starters on that side of the ball – six of them three-year starters – from the 2019 team.
The process of retooling the defense came with additional complications as Mark Dantonio retired after 13 seasons leading the program and Mel Tucker was hired as his replacement. Like Dantonio, Tucker is a former defensive back and secondary coach by trade who worked under Nick Saban.
How Alabama LB Carson Casteel went from staying close to home to signing with Michigan State
Updated Feb 01, 2021;
Posted Feb 01, 2021
Florence s Carson Casteel (10) recovers Sparkman fumble. Florence vs. Sparkman High School football Thursday Oct. 8, 2020. (Bob Gathany - preps@AL.com)AL.com
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Carson Casteel’s future was set.
The 2021 three-star linebacker from Florence High School in Alabama was committed to Troy and planned on staying in his home state for college.
Then Michigan State called.
“I didn’t know too much about Michigan State,” Casteel said. “I knew that it was a great program and it would be a really cool place to play football but I’d have to get to know the coaches and everything first and, of course, I’d have to get an offer first. It was in the back of my mind the whole time that it would be a great opportunity but everything would have to line up and everything did line up for me.”
5 positions Michigan State could boost with transfer additions
Updated Jan 28, 2021;
Posted Jan 28, 2021
Michigan State coach Mel Tucker looks on in the first quarter of their Big Ten football game against Indiana at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing, on Saturday, November 14, 2020. (Mike Mulholland | MLive.com)Mike Mulholland | MLive.com
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And the Michigan State coach’s aggressive approach already paid off with roster additions.
There were six transfers added to the program as midyear enrollees earlier this month in quarterback Anthony Russo (Temple), offensive lineman Jarrett Horst (Arkansas State), defensive end Drew Jordan (Duke), running back Kenneth Walker III (Wake Forest), safety Kendall Brooks (Division II North Greenville University) and walk-on defensive back Spencer Rowland (Division III Wheaton College). Harold Joiner, a running back transfer from Auburn who committed to the Spartans in December, was not among those who enrolled for the spring semest
Michigan State LB Jeslord Boateng enters transfer portal
Updated Dec 18, 2020;
Posted Dec 18, 2020
Michigan State s Elijah Collins, left, rushes against Jonathan Brys (86), Jeslord Boateng (33) and Joe Bachie during an NCAA college football spring scrimmage game, Saturday, April 13, 2019, in East Lansing, Mich. (AP Photo/Al Goldis)AP
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Another Michigan State player is looking for a new school.
Redshirt sophomore linebacker Jeslord Boateng entered the transfer portal, a program spokesman confirmed on Friday afternoon before Boateng made the announcement via Twitter. In a statement posted, Boateng thanked former coach Mark Dantonio “for giving me the opportunity of a lifetime” at Michigan State, his teammates and first-year coach Mel Tucker for “expecting the best from everyone on the team.”
MSU signs 18, gets transfer QB, RB in early signing period, what do they bring?
Temple quarterback Anthony Russo drops back for a pass against Cincinnati in 2019. Russo announced on Dec. 16 that he would be transferring to Michigan State after playing in 31 games for the Owls. Photo courtesy of Zamani Feelings/Temple Athletics.
The first day of the early signing period for Division I recruits and transfers was a wild one.
It always is, especially when you are Mel Tucker trying to build a football program up from a 2-5 regular season, even if the two wins came against teams who were ranked in the AP Top-15 at the time.