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Michigan State Football: What does Lashawn Paulino-Bell transfer mean?

By Connor Muldowney

EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
EAST LANSING, MI - SEPTEMBER 02: Head coach Mark Dantonio of the Michigan State Spartans looks on while playing the Bowling Green Falcons at Spartan Stadium on September 2, 2017 in East Lansing, Michigan. Michigan State won the game 35-10. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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Freshman defensive end Lashawn Paulino-Bell is transferring from Michigan State, according to Mark Dantonio. What does this mean?

Michigan State has lost another young star to transfer. Former three-star Lashawn Paulino-Bell is reportedly leaving the program after being redshirted in 2017.

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This might not be the most surprising news as he was suspended for the Holiday Bowl and wasn’t allowed to travel with the team. Still, he looked to be in line to get some snaps as a redshirt freshman in 2018 with Demetrius Cooper departing.

However, Mark Dantonio announced on Friday afternoon that he would be transferring, opening up opportunities for incoming freshmen.

What does this mean for Michigan State? It just means that the Spartans will get even younger, and thinner, up front. While Paulino-Bell was just a freshman, he had been in the system for a year and could have brought that experience to a prominent role in 2018.

That does open the door for someone like Jacub Panasiuk who played well as a true freshman and essentially locked up a future starting job.

Moreover, Parks Gissinger, Jacob Slade and Zachary Slade could see more playing time as true freshmen. Don’t forget about soon-to-be redshirt freshman DeAri Todd, either. He was the talk of scout team this season under redshirt and there are many people around the program who believe he will be a breakout star.

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While the loss of depth at the defensive end position will hurt, it just opens the door for another young player to step up and earn his snaps. Michigan State has plenty of young, hungry talent.

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