By Mark Pszonak
With the official firing of head coach Mel Tucker, Michigan State players now have a 30-day window to enter the transfer portal. Numerous players will be contacted by other schools with the hope that they make themselves available, but here are the five that will be the busiest now, will be even busier if they actually enter and which schools would be involved:
DE Zion Young
The skinny: Young showcased his potential during his true freshman season in 2022 when he played in eight games, including two starts. His time on the field produced 21 tackles, two tackles for a loss and one sack. He has been more productive through four games this season, with 16 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks. The Atlanta native possesses the size college coaches love (6-foot-6, 265-pounds), has on-field experience in the Big Ten but is also only a sophomore. His entry into the portal would cause an avalanche of interest.
Who could be involved: Young was committed to West Virginia before opening things up after an official visit to East Lansing. He then took an official visit to Missouri and picked up a late offer from Florida, but committed and signed with the Spartans on the December signing day. The Mountaineers likely wouldn’t be a candidate now, but the Tigers and Gators would be two to keep an eye on.
S Malik Spencer
The skinny: Spencer is another Georgia native who has impressed during his limited time in East Lansing. While he only totaled five tackles in five games in 2022, he has taken his game to the next level this season as a sophomore with 26 tackles, which is tied for the team lead, one tackle for a loss and two pass breakups. With this marked improvement form season one to season two, he has shown that he has the potential to be a bigtime contributor.
Who could be involved: Spencer committed to Michigan State during the spring of his junior season, but then took unofficial visits to Miami-Florida and Georgia. Look for both to take a long look if he would officially enter the portal, but the Canes are the one to watch here.
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CB Chance Rucker
The skinny: The true freshman was poised to be an opening game starter this season until a game week injury derailed him. After being eased back onto the field for a couple of weeks, he regained his starting spot last weekend against Maryland, when he had five tackles and a team-leading two pass breakups. The four-star recruit from Texas has length (6-foot-1, 180-pounds), athleticism, speed and plenty of potential, which are all huge selling points for him.
Who could be involved: Rucker had a top seven of Michigan State, Arkansas, Baylor, Nebraska, Cal, Florida and Nebraska before he took an official visit to East Lansing which led to a quick commitment. He then took an official visit to Arkansas, but stuck with the Spartans. The Razorbacks are the most likely to become a serious player if Rucker becomes available, but the Gators could also become a major player.
DL Simeon Barrow
The skinny: Unlike the other players on this list, Barrow is in his fourth year which offers plenty of experience for other schools. A third-team All-Big Ten performer last season with 40 tackles, nine tackles for a loss and four sacks, he is off to somewhat of a slow start through four games this season with seven tackles and 1.5 sacks. However, he has more than proven that he can me a difference maker at the major Power Five level.
Who could be involved: Being that Barrow went through the important stages of his high school recruiting process back in 2019 and 2020, this one is a bit tougher to project. He did take official visits to Virginia Tech and West Virginia after he committed to the Spartans, but both of those coaching staffs are long gone. However, as an experienced and successful defensive tackle who played his high school football in SEC/ACC country, he wouldn’t have any problem getting opportunities. Look for Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Miami-Florida, Florida State and Georgia Tech as possible landing spots.
LB Jordan Hall
The skinny: Originally from Virginia before he finished his high school career at IMG Academy in Florida, Hall was an Under Armour All-American last year. Arriving on campus in January this year, he immediately began to turn heads. He has played in all four games this season and has seen his on-field time increase recently. Having totaled 13 tackles and three tackles for a loss, the sky is the limit for Hall, who with his 6-foot-3, 235-pound frame would be diamond in the portal.
Who could be involved: Hall was busy after his commitment to Michigan State, so his relationships with other college coaching staffs are still fresh and strong since he is a true freshman. He took official visits to Michigan, Notre Dame and North Carolina and then unofficial visits to Florida and USF. All five of these schools and plenty of others would be quickly involved if Hall decided to enter the portal.
