Amid transfer chaos, starting DL teases return to Michigan State football

Transfer news rocked the Michigan State football program on Wednesday.

New Year’s Eve was supposed to be a day of celebration, but the Spartans lost over a dozen players to the transfer portal. The team is already looking thin, depth-wise, but now it’s looking like Pat Fitzgerald is going to have to build an entirely new roster via the transfer portal — that may not be the worst thing.

The Spartans have lost numerous projected starters, including Jalen Thompson, which really put a damper on the holiday for a lot of fans, but a couple players provided good news.

QB1 Alessio Milivojevic doubled down on his decision to return to Michigan State under Pat Fitzgerald, posting a ‘SD4L’ tweet on Wednesday. Then, starting defensive lineman and leader of the trenches Alex VanSumeren teased an return for one final season.

VanSumeren posted a simple video that felt like him telling fans that he’s back.

Other Spartans have posted similar videos, but the last one to have one like this was Jordan Hall and he announced his return at the end. I’m sure VanSumeren is weighing his options, but after seeing his defensive captain return and watching his brother graduate from Michigan State before entering the NFL, I’d be shocked if he wasn’t back.

Alex VanSumeren returning would be a huge boost to the DL

While this isn’t a lock yet, this does feel like a return announcement, and assuming that’s what it is, VanSumeren is going to provide a huge boost to the defensive line.

Losing Thompson hurt because I thought him and VanSumeren could lead a solid group of young players, but now it’s up to the Bay City, Mich., native to lead the group if he’s back. This group could use all the help it can get under reported defensive line coach hire Winston DeLattiboudere III from the Arizona Cardinals.

VanSumeren is entering his fifth year at Michigan State after using a medical redshirt in 2023 following a season-ending injury. He just had his best season as a junior, totaling 52 tackles with two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.

Fans owe a big ‘thank you’ to Milivojevic and VanSumeren for talking them off the ledge during the transfer madness on Wednesday.