Michigan State football contacts top OL transfer from Northwestern

Following the 2024 season, Jonathan Smith had a chance to look back and reflect on Michigan State football's shortcomings in his first year as head coach.

Anyone with a pair of working eyeballs would tell you what the main shortcomings were and they happened to be in the trenches on both sides of the ball.

There was a seven-week stretch during the season in which Michigan State was held without a sack and on the offensive side of things, the line could never seem to protect Aidan Chiles long enough for him to cook. Plus, the run game was non-existent because the line couldn't seem to open up any running lanes for Kay'Ron Lynch-Adams and Nate Carter.

So with the season in the rearview mirror and portal season approaching, Smith knows he has to address the trenches and he's already getting to work.

According to reports, Smith has already been in contact with one of the top offensive linemen on the market in Northwestern transf

Michigan and Michigan State have inquired about the former three-star recruit from Fenton, Mich., who spent the last four years at Northwestern. He redshirted in 2021 and then played in each of the past three years, including being named Pro Football Focus' No. 2 Big Ten guard this season -- even though he played primarily right tackle for the Wildcats.

This is the kind of addition that could help turn the offensive line around and allow for the young guys to learn and grow while not being thrown completely into the fire.

Luke Newman and Tanner Miller were solid portal additions for the Spartans last offseason but Thompson would be a heck of a get this time around. It'll be tough to beat out Michigan for his services, but anything can happen for a local kid with the right NIL deal.