Michigan State football: Loss of Germie Bernard is a gut-punch

Earlier on Monday, I wrote a piece about not panicking over the decommitments of a couple of three-star recruits, concluding with Johnathan Slack on Sunday night.

On Monday afternoon, however, former four-star and freshman wide receiver Germie Bernard entered the transfer portal.

It seemed like a bad dream, but the freshman with the bright future decided to move on from the program after just one season following his flip from Washington to Michigan State a year ago. It felt like the worst possible news at a bad time.

The portal declaration seems odd considering he was projected to start next season with Jayden Reed gone, but maybe he just didn’t like his role in year one.

Bernard caught just seven passes for 128 yards and two touchdowns.

Bernard’s departure kills Michigan State football receiver depth

Heading into the offseason, I felt like the receiver room was one of the best in the Big Ten with Keon Coleman and Bernard coming back and the potential of Tre Mosley to return as well.

Now with Bernard gone and Mosley still undecided, it feels like the receiver room lacks depth, especially that of the proven variety. And losing a guy like Bernard is a serious gut-punch because everyone was looking forward to what he could bring to the table in the future as a Spartan. Now, he’s just gone.

Sure, there’s a chance he could pull a Ma’a Gaoteote and decide to return after hitting the portal, but it just feels like this move wouldn’t be made unless he truly felt the need to move on.

I hope I’m wrong and that he returns, but for now, this is the worst transfer news yet — by a mile.