Former Michigan State players have been taking visits essentially every day since the transfer portal opened, and you can’t even hate on it because Pat Fitzgerald has landed about 25 transfers over the past week.
The Spartans are going to look a whole lot different next season.
It’s always interesting to see where the transfers come from, and there are rare cases where some cross enemy lines to play for their in-state rival. So far, Michigan State has only poached one former Wolverine in Fredrick Moore.
Previously, Michigan State landed Ben VanSumeren from Michigan as well as Semaj Bridgeman more recently. Jaden Mangham went across enemy lines, too, and transferred to Michigan a couple of years ago — he’s now at Purdue.
Well, Michigan State may be able to add another player to that list as former Spartan defensive back Justin Denson Jr. is reportedly visiting Michigan.
Former Michigan State DB Justin Denson (@Jetdenson) has arrived at Michigan for an official visit, he tells me. Has three years of eligibility remaining. More here #GoBlue. https://t.co/j9Olk4Jgr4 pic.twitter.com/kAdksHgwEc
— "EJ Holland" (@EJHollandOn3) January 10, 2026
This would be an insane move, but nothing would surprise me anymore so I’m fully expecting him to transfer to the Wolverines.
Kyle Whittingham apparently likes what he sees from Denson’s limited film.
From Michigan State underdog to villain?
Denson was once a recruit that many Spartan fans were excited to see compete for snaps in the defensive backfield, but he was buried on the depth chart.
Jonathan Smith never really gave him the playing time he was looking for, and although many fans wanted to see what he could do in the green and white, he always teased the idea of looking for other opportunities on social media.
So when he ended up transferring, no one was all that surprised.
However, fans were rooting for him to go somewhere that he could play a bunch and make a name for himself. That won’t be the case if he transfers to Michigan. We all saw what happened when Mangham transferred to the Wolverines, and he actually played major snaps for the Spartans. Denson would have burned all bridges with Michigan State and its fanbase.
Visiting Michigan is almost as bad as committing there, because the intention is to give the Wolverines a serious look — unless he’s just there for the free trip.
Denson would be a heck of a villain.