We’re in an interesting era of college football where the transfer portal feels like free agency. In the past, Michigan State football fans would have been ecstatic over landing 1-2 transfers in an offseason, but now it’s like 25-30.
Along with the mass migration of transfers to East Lansing, there’s an equally large group headed out. Almost 40 Michigan State players have entered the portal this offseason.
So with the news of each incoming transfer, there’s at least one instance of a former Spartan finding a new home. Several have already found homes in the portal like Alex VanSumeren (USC), Aidan Chiles (Northwestern), Nick Marsh (Indiana), Sam Leavitt (LSU), and Katin Houser (Illinois).
And now, Jalen Thompson.
Arizona State has received a commitment from Michigan State EDGE transfer Jalen Thompson.
— Allen Trieu (@AllenTrieu) January 13, 2026
Sun Devils came on late and beat several other schools for a player with starting experience in the Big Ten.https://t.co/jkuZXecZIv pic.twitter.com/ipQCZdygSL
If you’re surprised to see Thompson headed to Arizona State, you’re not alone. There was some early chatter that he would be potentially flirting with the SEC and I heard the name Mississippi State thrown around, but he decided to head out west to play for a newer Big 12 program.
Jalen Thompson would’ve thrived under the new staff
Thompson is from the state of Michigan and played each of his first three seasons at Michigan State. He committed to Mel Tucker and the previous staff and was expected to be a big piece to the defensive puzzle.
Unfortunately, he never quite got to grow into the player Spartan fans expected.
Thompson finishes his Michigan State career with 66 tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 4.5 sacks, four pass breakups, and a forced fumble. Not a bad career, but he could’ve left a legacy with a strong senior season to help Pat Fitzgerald’s turnaround.
The Michigan native didn’t really get to bloom as a freshman under Tucker before he was fired a few games into the 2023 season, and then he was coached by a staff that was really offense-oriented. He would’ve truly thrived under this new coaching staff, led by a defensive-minded Fitzgerald and former NFL defensive line coach Winston Lattiboudere III.
Now, Thompson heads out west to play for former Michigan coaching candidate Kenny Dillingham and the Sun Devils who made the playoff thanks to a former Spartan (Leavitt) two years ago.