Jonathan Smith is wasting no time as the new Michigan State football coach to improve the roster.
While he hasn’t added anyone new yet, he did retain the commitment of four-star receiver Nick Marsh and it looks like he’s going to secure Anthony Carrie as well.
But he’ll have more work to do in order to make up for all of the transfers out of the program.
A few positions were hit really hard by transfers: receiver, offensive line, quarterback.
Smith offered a big-time receiver to try and address one of those needs on Thursday afternoon in North Texas standout Ja’Mori Maclin.
Michigan state offered! Glory to God pic.twitter.com/ZsVgT6dDyM
— Ja’Mori Maclin (@routerunner9) November 30, 2023
While he’s going to receive plenty more offers as he’s one of the top receivers in the portal and will be until he commits, it’s a good sign that Smith is in contact early on. He could get the ball rolling and sell him on potentially being the No. 1 target with guys like Jaron Glover, Tyrell Henry, and Christian Fitzpatrick all hitting the transfer portal.
Maclin would be just what Michigan State football needs
The cousin of former Missouri superstar wideout Jeremy Maclin started his career with the Tigers before transferring to North Texas and really taking off in 2022 and 2023. Over the past two seasons, he’s combined for 73 receptions for 1,384 yards and 13 touchdowns. This past season alone, he had 57 catches for 1,004 yards and 11 scores.
Michigan State needs that kind of production.
With three receivers entering the portal and two more potentially graduating and another (Alante Brown) still up in the air, it feels like the room is depleted.
Nick Marsh is coming in and Antonio Gates Jr. is still here so pairing them with a stud like Maclin would be huge. He could be that slot-type that the Spartans need while the other two play on the outside.
Let’s hope Smith can land a big fish or two from the portal and Maclin would fit that description.