Michigan State Football: New QB emerging as potential transfer target

While Temple’s Anthony Russo isn’t an exciting prospect, he has plenty of experience and that could pique Michigan State football’s interest.

It’s no secret that the quarterback position has been a liability this season with Rocky Lombardi’s up-and-down play and the lack of adequate playing time for Payton Thorne.

Theo Day hasn’t gotten any live game reps and it seems like he’s the forgotten man in the quarterback room with Lombardi’s experience and Thorne’s potential. Neither, however, has truly seized the reins of the position.

That leaves the future of the position in limbo.

Hamp Fay is coming in with the 2021 recruiting class and there’s an overwhelming belief that he’s the future of the position, but he may need a year to redshirt as to not throw him into the fire immediately. That would mean that Mel Tucker would have to rely on Thorne, Day or Lombardi next season and if that’s the case, the ceiling for the 2021 season might be lowered.

Tucker has stated that he wants to hit the transfer portal hard to fill some positions of need for the 2021 season and beyond and the quarterback room may see a new face from that avenue.

A new name has emerged for the green and white.

Anthony Russo, a Temple grad transfer, announced he would be entering the portal last week and he had an interesting career with the Owls. He threw for over 5,400 yards and 35 touchdowns in 2018 and 2019 combined and he was off to a solid start this season with 863 yards and nine touchdowns with a career-best 68 percent completion rate. But interceptions have been a problem throughout his career.

In fact, he had six interceptions in three games this year and 26 over the two previous season. That’s not the most intriguing stat for MSU fans.

If he can work on his turnover issues and continue improving that accuracy, adding Russo to the quarterback room wouldn’t be the worst thing for the Spartans. Keep an eye on this transfer as he could be a top target for Tucker.