Armorion Smith has had a tumultuous past few years as a student-athlete in East Lansing. The veteran safety transferred to Michigan State from Cincinnati under Mel Tucker, and he watched as his new head coach was fired a few games into the 2023 season.
Then, he decided to stick around under the new coaching staff, led by Jonathan Smith. He played in seven games in Smith’s first year, as opposed to just four in 2023. Unfortunately, he also lost his mother in 2024 and had to take guardianship of his younger siblings while trying to play football and go to school.
It was a tough time for the junior defensive back.
In year three with Michigan State, he was named to the preseason Comeback Player of the Year award watch list, and had his best season as a Spartan. He had 35 total tackles, an interception, and a pass breakup in 12 games as a regular contributor at safety. He filled in as the Spartans experienced several injuries back there.
Smith became a fan favorite in East Lansing for the courage he showed after losing his mother, but also because he stuck around during some tough times.
Shortly after the season ended, he entered the transfer portal, presumably with one year left.
Over the weekend, his new home was officially announced.
He’s headed to Toledo.
Officially a Rocket 🚀‼️#TeamToledo | @ArmorionS pic.twitter.com/qLI0QErmOZ
— Toledo Football (@ToledoFB) January 17, 2026
Smith is going to be an easy guy to root for in the MAC next season.
Michigan State has addressed the secondary in the portal
While Smith is gone, Pat Fitzgerald has addressed the secondary. Some key players like Aydan West, Justin Denson Jr., and Chance Rucker entered the transfer portal, but Fitzgerald has secured several transfers.
Here’s who Fitzgerald has added to the defensive backfield from the portal:
- Charles Brantley, CB
- Cam Stodghill, S
- Tre Bell, CB
- Michael Richard, S
- Devin Vaughn, S
- Tyran Chappell, CB
On top of these transfer additions, Michigan State brings back veteran safety Nikai Martinez who will be an All-Big Ten caliber defensive back next season.
The Spartans should have a solid defensive backfield next season, especially with a defensive-minded coaching staff in place.