Hello Spartan Nation,
I expected to be watching the MSU-UM b-ball game this weekend, but we saw Duck Hunt play out in real-time again. So instead, I decided to spend some time doing a deep dive on MSU’s needs in the portal for the 2022-2023 football season.
Portal Round 2.0
Here we are in the heart of the offseason. In Year 3 of the Tucker regime, this means PORTAL TIME!!! In one of my previous posts from mid-December, I stated the following:
“IMO our remaining needs are (6 spots): OT (2), OG (1), DE (1), S or DB (1), and best available (RB, DB, WR ala the recruitment of Jameson Williams last cycle). I’m confident that the staff will fill these needs methodically. With that said folks, strap in for the insanity that will be the 2021-2022 Portal Cycle.”
Where we are now:
Things have changed a bit from when I posted this. As expected, K9 opted out of the Peach Bowl, and declared for the NFL draft. We’ve received the great news that Xavier Henderson and Jayden Reed have decided to return to MSU. Further, it appears that Jarrett Horst will attempt to run it back next year (https://spartanswire.usatoday.com/2...otball-lt-jarrett-horst-back-for-2022-season/). We just received a pleasant post-signing day surprise with the commitment of Germie Bernard. Taken together, this leaves us with 5 spots: 2 OL, 1 DB, 1 RB, 1 Best available (OT, S, DE).
Offensive Line: I love the Horst news, but I don’t think it changes the need for at least 2 OL in this class. First and foremost, I want Horst to get right as a human being. Mental health is real, and needs to be at the forefront period. On the football field, I can’t let myself trust that he is back after reports from the Peach Bowl until I see him: lockdown the LT spot in spring ball and improve as a football player (e.g. reduce the holds and aggression personal fouls). At the RT spot, we saw Spencer Brown have a solid game vs. Pitt, but can he translate that into a successful winter conditioning/spring ball? On the interior, we know that Kevin Jarvis has declared for the NFL draft. Matt Carrick had surgery during the fall for a lower leg injury with an unknown return date (https://spartanswire.usatoday.com/2...s-to-lose-starting-og-matt-carrick-to-injury/ ). I haven’t heard anything definitive on Blake Bueter coming back. Although, I’ve seen posts saying that he is preparing for Pro Day, and will not return. We also won’t know until the spring game if guys like Ethan Boyd, Dallas Fincher, and Geno VanDeMark have developed to the point where they are now in the playing group. There are just way too many unknowns in this group. We absolutely need to land starting-level OL from the portal.
Secondary: To say, our pass defense was sub-optimal would be the understatement of the year. Communication was terrible back there. Lowery, Williams, and Kimbrough really needed spring ball to learn the defense. Unfortunately, they did not commit to MSU and enroll until the summer. This set them back big-time on learning the defense. As a result, this secondary never jelled all year. Beyond communication, we absolutely lacked functional depth back there. Kendall Brooks was only able to carve out a special teams role, and Khary Crump may have been injured all year (only saw time in the bowl). AJ Kirk had reported accountability issues, and did not see the field. Michael Gravely did not see the field due to an off the field matter and has since left the program.
As the Big Ten grind set in, you could see the impact of injuries on all the corners and Henderson. As Comp and others have stated, X was playing at an All-American/All-Big Ten level until the Michigan game. After that game, the entire secondary was dinged up. Even if you look before the Michigan game, X and Grose couldn’t come off the field. If they did, bad things happened. After Michigan, we had leaks everywhere from the LBs to the Secondary.
I agree that we should see an improvement in DB play with Tucker and Barnett coaching the group. However, I think that we need to continue to bring in competition and depth back there. I believe that Ade Willie and Caleb Coley will challenge for PT at DB. Malik Spencer should carve out some time at Nickel and on Special Teams. I’m also hoping that Jared Mangham shows out during the Spring and can be a backup safety this year. I personally loved what the coaches did during the Peach Bowl with Grose and Snow. I would love it if Snow and Grose split time as tandem at Nickel. I love both players in this spot. Grose played very well at corner as a freshman. He seemed to struggle at times back there at Safety (slow reaction time, too much thinking). I’d like to see him closer to the line of scrimmage again. Snow is a Dawg by blood and the way he plays on the field. His ascension to unseat Michael Dowell was impressive during the season. I think that he is also best suited for Nickel because I don’t think that he has the speed to be a Safety (I’d love to be wrong). If Snow and Grose split time at Nickel, I’d like to see them do the following: a) experiment with Ronald Williams at the other S spot (Big Moobie for the win), b) bring in a portal safety with significant starting experience to push the spring game starter/add functional depth, and c) add a big-time corner to again push the DB group.
Remaining 2 Spots:
I loved what Tucker did with the first 4 transfer portal slots this year. He improved the LB room by landing 2 explosive starting level players. Likewise at DE, he pulled Khris Bogle, who could be a heck of a force in the Big Ten after winter conditioning and spring ball. I also liked the addition of Berger at RB because we will need production at this spot after K9’s departure.
In terms of other spots, I think that we will add another RB with starting production via the portal. The Peach Bowl was alarming in regards to OL play sans Jarvis/Horst and RB production post-K9. I was excited about Simmons as a recruit, but he lacks burst. He’s been solid in the screen game, but he struggles between the tackles. I love Elijah Collins as a leader in this program, but COVID/injuries have really hampered his development. From what I saw last year, he was the best back in limited snaps not named K9 (he just couldn’t stay healthy). Eaglin is an unknown, but I liked what I saw in limited snaps against YSU. I expect Joiner to take a step as he evolves into the Heyward H-back role. If the last spot is best available, I could see us going for another pass-rusher, another DB (as detailed above) or another OL that can be a Donovan Clark type with G/T experience.
Where we may go:
As someone that followed the portal closely last year, it is harder to track who the coaches are going after. This could be for a number of reasons (e.g. limited spots, ability for targets to visit, etc.). I will preface this next section by saying this target list is all fan speculation based on the needs of MSU and players that either have entered the portal or may in the near future (e.g. no inside info). Time will tell if MSU will actually go after any of these guys.
Targets that I’d like to see us go after (some have entered; others I hope enter):
Offensive Line:
Running Back:
Secondary
Running Back
Future of the Portal:
In closing, I’ll give some perspective on where I see the portal going in the near future. To quote a notable name in the recruiting world, the transfer portal is on fire. It has been since early signing day and is a freight train that will not be stopped for the foreseeable future.
https://twitter.com/RivalsPortal/status/1479118277007667205?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1479118277007667205|twgr^|twcon^s1_c10&ref_url=
I followed the portal intently last year, and have continued to do so this cycle. I knew things would escalate after bowls, but this is even crazier than I thought it would be. You now have All-Americans transferring from high power 5 schools to perennial top 10-20 teams in search of PT, exposure, and big NIL deals. Hell, you can just look at the NIL deal that Texas has running for their OL- https://www.si.com/college/texas/news/texas-longhorns-offensive-line-horns-with-hearts-paid-hookem. Semi-pro football is alive and well in NCAA football.
We all acknowledge the NCAA is a figurehead of a governing body, but man they really lit the match on this. They resisted transfer flexibility and NIL for years. In one fell swoop, they green lit both and have watched college free agency unfold at a blistering pace. I like many others believe regulation of the portal and NIL are coming in the near future. It’s only ironic that both Kirby Smart and Nick Saban spoke to this topic today (https://www.espn.com/college-footba...-regulation-college-football-going-haves-nots).
Here are a few ideas from myself and other sources that I think may let NIL and the portal go forward at a more regulated pace:
@Noah Sprunger @jim comparoni @Jason Killop @Macklinjb @SpartanFan81 @haydenv8 @SpartyDawg23
I expected to be watching the MSU-UM b-ball game this weekend, but we saw Duck Hunt play out in real-time again. So instead, I decided to spend some time doing a deep dive on MSU’s needs in the portal for the 2022-2023 football season.
Portal Round 2.0
Here we are in the heart of the offseason. In Year 3 of the Tucker regime, this means PORTAL TIME!!! In one of my previous posts from mid-December, I stated the following:
“IMO our remaining needs are (6 spots): OT (2), OG (1), DE (1), S or DB (1), and best available (RB, DB, WR ala the recruitment of Jameson Williams last cycle). I’m confident that the staff will fill these needs methodically. With that said folks, strap in for the insanity that will be the 2021-2022 Portal Cycle.”
Where we are now:
Things have changed a bit from when I posted this. As expected, K9 opted out of the Peach Bowl, and declared for the NFL draft. We’ve received the great news that Xavier Henderson and Jayden Reed have decided to return to MSU. Further, it appears that Jarrett Horst will attempt to run it back next year (https://spartanswire.usatoday.com/2...otball-lt-jarrett-horst-back-for-2022-season/). We just received a pleasant post-signing day surprise with the commitment of Germie Bernard. Taken together, this leaves us with 5 spots: 2 OL, 1 DB, 1 RB, 1 Best available (OT, S, DE).
Offensive Line: I love the Horst news, but I don’t think it changes the need for at least 2 OL in this class. First and foremost, I want Horst to get right as a human being. Mental health is real, and needs to be at the forefront period. On the football field, I can’t let myself trust that he is back after reports from the Peach Bowl until I see him: lockdown the LT spot in spring ball and improve as a football player (e.g. reduce the holds and aggression personal fouls). At the RT spot, we saw Spencer Brown have a solid game vs. Pitt, but can he translate that into a successful winter conditioning/spring ball? On the interior, we know that Kevin Jarvis has declared for the NFL draft. Matt Carrick had surgery during the fall for a lower leg injury with an unknown return date (https://spartanswire.usatoday.com/2...s-to-lose-starting-og-matt-carrick-to-injury/ ). I haven’t heard anything definitive on Blake Bueter coming back. Although, I’ve seen posts saying that he is preparing for Pro Day, and will not return. We also won’t know until the spring game if guys like Ethan Boyd, Dallas Fincher, and Geno VanDeMark have developed to the point where they are now in the playing group. There are just way too many unknowns in this group. We absolutely need to land starting-level OL from the portal.
Secondary: To say, our pass defense was sub-optimal would be the understatement of the year. Communication was terrible back there. Lowery, Williams, and Kimbrough really needed spring ball to learn the defense. Unfortunately, they did not commit to MSU and enroll until the summer. This set them back big-time on learning the defense. As a result, this secondary never jelled all year. Beyond communication, we absolutely lacked functional depth back there. Kendall Brooks was only able to carve out a special teams role, and Khary Crump may have been injured all year (only saw time in the bowl). AJ Kirk had reported accountability issues, and did not see the field. Michael Gravely did not see the field due to an off the field matter and has since left the program.
As the Big Ten grind set in, you could see the impact of injuries on all the corners and Henderson. As Comp and others have stated, X was playing at an All-American/All-Big Ten level until the Michigan game. After that game, the entire secondary was dinged up. Even if you look before the Michigan game, X and Grose couldn’t come off the field. If they did, bad things happened. After Michigan, we had leaks everywhere from the LBs to the Secondary.
I agree that we should see an improvement in DB play with Tucker and Barnett coaching the group. However, I think that we need to continue to bring in competition and depth back there. I believe that Ade Willie and Caleb Coley will challenge for PT at DB. Malik Spencer should carve out some time at Nickel and on Special Teams. I’m also hoping that Jared Mangham shows out during the Spring and can be a backup safety this year. I personally loved what the coaches did during the Peach Bowl with Grose and Snow. I would love it if Snow and Grose split time as tandem at Nickel. I love both players in this spot. Grose played very well at corner as a freshman. He seemed to struggle at times back there at Safety (slow reaction time, too much thinking). I’d like to see him closer to the line of scrimmage again. Snow is a Dawg by blood and the way he plays on the field. His ascension to unseat Michael Dowell was impressive during the season. I think that he is also best suited for Nickel because I don’t think that he has the speed to be a Safety (I’d love to be wrong). If Snow and Grose split time at Nickel, I’d like to see them do the following: a) experiment with Ronald Williams at the other S spot (Big Moobie for the win), b) bring in a portal safety with significant starting experience to push the spring game starter/add functional depth, and c) add a big-time corner to again push the DB group.
Remaining 2 Spots:
I loved what Tucker did with the first 4 transfer portal slots this year. He improved the LB room by landing 2 explosive starting level players. Likewise at DE, he pulled Khris Bogle, who could be a heck of a force in the Big Ten after winter conditioning and spring ball. I also liked the addition of Berger at RB because we will need production at this spot after K9’s departure.
In terms of other spots, I think that we will add another RB with starting production via the portal. The Peach Bowl was alarming in regards to OL play sans Jarvis/Horst and RB production post-K9. I was excited about Simmons as a recruit, but he lacks burst. He’s been solid in the screen game, but he struggles between the tackles. I love Elijah Collins as a leader in this program, but COVID/injuries have really hampered his development. From what I saw last year, he was the best back in limited snaps not named K9 (he just couldn’t stay healthy). Eaglin is an unknown, but I liked what I saw in limited snaps against YSU. I expect Joiner to take a step as he evolves into the Heyward H-back role. If the last spot is best available, I could see us going for another pass-rusher, another DB (as detailed above) or another OL that can be a Donovan Clark type with G/T experience.
Where we may go:
As someone that followed the portal closely last year, it is harder to track who the coaches are going after. This could be for a number of reasons (e.g. limited spots, ability for targets to visit, etc.). I will preface this next section by saying this target list is all fan speculation based on the needs of MSU and players that either have entered the portal or may in the near future (e.g. no inside info). Time will tell if MSU will actually go after any of these guys.
Targets that I’d like to see us go after (some have entered; others I hope enter):
Offensive Line:
- O’Cyrus Torrence: Louisiana OG who has been All-Sun Belt for the last two seasons
- Huge guy at 6’6 320 plus
- Would be a plug & plug starter and a likely NFL draft pick
- Originally from Louisiana
- He has reported offers from MSU, Clemson, Ole Miss, and Auburn.
- It has been reported that he took a midweek OV to Auburn
- Florida fans believe that they will land him due to the connection to his former coach (Billy Napier)
- It would be amazing if we can get him up on visit soon.
- https://www.theadvocate.com/acadian...cle_c2bebb28-ffad-11eb-8d9e-2bdaea18e76f.html
- https://www.katc.com/sports/ul-spor...yrus-torrence-repping-at-new-position-in-camp
- https://sunbeltsports.org/news/2021...l-postseason-awards-all-conference-teams.aspx
- Mason Brooks- Western Kentucky RT who was a 2X 1st team Conf. USA selection
- Experienced tackle prospects have been hard to come by this cycle. This kid would be a plug and play starter at OT for us.
- He’s garnered interest from all over the country
- One confounder is that his OC at WKU is now the new OC at Texas Tech
- Tre’ Mond Shorts- FCS OG entry from East Tennessee St; FCS All-American
- Experienced guard from Georgia that has done well at the FCS level
- Once he entered the portal, he exploded receiving offers from all over the country.
- His twitter has been scrubbed of offers so I have no idea what is going on there.
- If Options 1-3 aren’t viable, wait until after Spring Ball to see who else enters the portal.
- Dartanyan Tinsley: 1st All Mid-South @ Kentucky Christian
- The drop off for OL prospects is quite large now given the recent decisions of JD DiRenzo and Bobby Haskins.
- His best offer to date appears to be Temple.
- He has experience playing Tackle, but I worry about his kick step in pass protection.
- He might be better served shifting inside to Guard (but what do I know 😊).
- Garrett Dellinger: LSU OT that has a brother we are recruiting heavily for 2023.
- He has not entered the portal, but if he did, I imagine MSU would be all over this.
- When he landed at LSU, he stated that the OL coach was a big reason why he went there. His coach was fired in year 1. (https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_r...cle_07b9974e-0115-11ec-b0df-c7f8b0f3462e.html)
- His current OL coach has been retained Brian Kelly, but LSU has been very active in the portal targeting OL. They’ve already landed one portal OT. This could get interesting if they land another tackle.
- This is just speculation, but I wonder if he would have interest in playing with his younger brother if he goes green this spring. Something to watch
Running Back:
- Lew Nichols- CMU RB who was the 2021 MAC offensive player of the year;
- Despite a false report awhile back, Lew Nichols has not entered the portal. CMU fans seem confident that he will stay there until leaving for the NFL next year.
- Ran for 1,848 yards and scored 16 tds
- He’s a powerful back with great vision and shiftiness
- Local Cass Tech product so he has a connection to Thomas Wilcher
- This would make too much sense if he enters
- Christian Beal-Smith: Wake RB; split time in a crowded Wake backfield
- For his career, he ran for 1,871 yards and 14 tds.
- The tape speaks for itself- he is an experienced back that has great burst and vision.
- I imagine that he is seeking a feature back role. With K9 leaving, there will plenty of carries for the right backs.
- Montrell Johnson- Louisiana RB that really showed out as a true freshman
- Was Committed to Arizona before flipping to Louisiana
- Ran for 838 yards with 12 tds.
- Another Louisiana product for this list so the Gators may be a problem here.
- I like his tape and would love for Effrem Reed to pursue him.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oD6TogMIzAw&ab_channel=philrobb
- Jay Ducker- NIU RB, 2021 MAC Freshman of the year https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/jevyon-ducker-209483
- Ran for 1,184 yds and 3 tds in 8 games!!!
- Redshirted in 2020 due to a preseason injury, and took over the starting role after 2 players in front of him were lost to injury
- From the story below, it looks like there was a bit of drama between Ducker and the staff.
- I missed this, but apparently, he is focusing on Florida, Florida State, Memphis, and UCLA
- https://omaha.com/sports/college/ja...cle_636d32b0-5ed7-11ec-ba6d-1b9385709b65.html
- https://omaha.com/sports/college/be...cle_0aa3f65a-6995-11ec-979f-af60dbc044cc.html
- https://twitter.com/DuckerJevyon/status/1473398097246105601?s=20
Secondary
- Joe Foucha- S Arkansas https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2018/joseph-foucha-20569
- Outside of Brandon Joseph, he’s probably the best S prospect to enter the portal this cycle
- For his career, 230 tackles and 4 picks
- Arkansas was shocked to see him enter the portal for his Covid year
- If he came, there is no doubt that he would claim a starting S spot.
- He would be a big upgrade back there.
- Originally from NOLA. Hopefully guys like Brule, Windmon, Kimbrough, and Coleman can help us recruit him to MSU
- Greg Brooks- DB Arkansas https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2019/gregory-brooks-jr-184811
- Another NOLA guy on this list.
- He is already in high demand and just landed a LSU offer today.
- He is from the same part of NOLA as Jacoby Windmon
- 111 tackles and 4 picks through 33 career starts
- Like Foucha, Brooks would start in the secondary if he were to come to MSU.
- Man, that would be a hell of a haul to pull both Arkansas portal guys.
- Mekhi Gardner- DB Louisiana that was 3rd team All-Sun Belt this year
- Another Louisiana player
- 61 tackles and 3 picks with 2 years of playing experience. He was their top DB this year.
- Rumored to be following Napier to Florida
- Mark Perry- S Colorado https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2019/mark-perry-208697
- 91 tackles and 3 picks in 3 years at Colorado
- Played under Tucker for a year
- Productive S with Starting Experience
- Apparently making a decision this week
Running Back
- Jahmyr Gibbs: All everything back from Ga Tech https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/jahmyr-gibbs-209654
- It was BAMA even before he entered the portal [BAMA]
- Zach Evans: Stud RB from TCU that was once committed to UGA https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/zachary-evans-186957
- Stud RB that was going SEC all the way [Ole Miss]
- JD DiRenzo: three-time All-Conference selection and two-time FCS All-American for Sacred Heart https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2017/jd-direnzo-185627 [Rutgers]
- Local NJ kid
- Had great tape.
- Made his Final 5, but he wanted to stay closer to home.
- Bobby Haskins: 45 games of starting experience at UVA https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2017/jd-direnzo-185627 [USC]
- We kicked the tires, but he got in a USC visit before the dead period.
- Miles Frazier: Freshmen All-American at FIU https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/miles-frazier-257787 [LSU]
- Christian Gonzales: Former CU player recruited by Tucker https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2020/christian-gonzalez-236383 [Oregon]
- Brandon Joseph: Former All-American S that was looking for a bigger stage https://n.rivals.com/content/prospects/2019/brandon-joseph-210617 [Notre Dame]
Future of the Portal:
In closing, I’ll give some perspective on where I see the portal going in the near future. To quote a notable name in the recruiting world, the transfer portal is on fire. It has been since early signing day and is a freight train that will not be stopped for the foreseeable future.
https://twitter.com/RivalsPortal/status/1479118277007667205?ref_src=twsrc^tfw|twcamp^tweetembed|twterm^1479118277007667205|twgr^|twcon^s1_c10&ref_url=
I followed the portal intently last year, and have continued to do so this cycle. I knew things would escalate after bowls, but this is even crazier than I thought it would be. You now have All-Americans transferring from high power 5 schools to perennial top 10-20 teams in search of PT, exposure, and big NIL deals. Hell, you can just look at the NIL deal that Texas has running for their OL- https://www.si.com/college/texas/news/texas-longhorns-offensive-line-horns-with-hearts-paid-hookem. Semi-pro football is alive and well in NCAA football.
We all acknowledge the NCAA is a figurehead of a governing body, but man they really lit the match on this. They resisted transfer flexibility and NIL for years. In one fell swoop, they green lit both and have watched college free agency unfold at a blistering pace. I like many others believe regulation of the portal and NIL are coming in the near future. It’s only ironic that both Kirby Smart and Nick Saban spoke to this topic today (https://www.espn.com/college-footba...-regulation-college-football-going-haves-nots).
Here are a few ideas from myself and other sources that I think may let NIL and the portal go forward at a more regulated pace:
- Top 10 teams get 5 portal slots, Top 25 teams get 7 slots, any team outside the top 25 gets 10 based on counters. This is an attempt to spread out talent across the conferences.
- If a coach takes a non-Top 25 job, the 85-player limit is waived for a year and they get 2 additional transfers slots.
- Based on the number of portal slots allotted, you can only have so many offers out to potential targets. This is so that schools like USC and LSU can’t just blanket offer any kid with decent tape.
- NIL is the Wild West especially in the South right now (go figure 😊). A NIL Cap across power 5 schools would be established so that schools like Texas A&M can’t throw 25-30 million (https://gigemgazette.com/2022/01/06/texas-am-football-paying-price-2022-top-overall-class/) to secure the number 1 recruiting class.
- Portal Entry/Withdrawal Cutoffs to eliminate the polarizing topic of mid-season opt outs.
- NIL deals are executable like contracts with a begin-end date and/or gives an out if someone does not start or play X number of snaps a year.
- The Return of a restriction on Inter-conference transfers to prevent tampering. Every year one of your portal transfers can come from within conference. If you land one, you cannot sign another inter-conference transfer the following cycle.
@Noah Sprunger @jim comparoni @Jason Killop @Macklinjb @SpartanFan81 @haydenv8 @SpartyDawg23
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