Michigan State football has officially lost its most important DB to the portal

A move that I kind of felt was coming has officially happened. Charles Brantley has decided to leave Michigan State football, entering the transfer portal on Tuesday afternoon.

Brantley had a career season with Michigan State this past year, being named All-Big Ten honorable mention after recording 27 tackles, two tackles for loss, three interceptions (including a long pick-six), and seven pass breakups. He was considered one of the best cornerbacks in the Big Ten and it felt like the coaching he got from Blue Adams and Demetrice Martin turned his career around.

But this is now the third time he's entered the portal since being at Michigan State. He did come back the previous two times, but this one feels like a finality.

It could also explain why Jonathan Smith has been targeting cornerbacks in the transfer portal. Losing Brantley and Jaylen Thompson has forced his hand.

One thing that has plagued Brantley throughout his Michigan State career, however, and that has been his inability to stay healthy for entire seasons. In fact, he has not played a full season in his collegiate career with the most games played at 11 in 2022. He played seven in 2021 before a season-ending injury and just three last year before playing nine in 2024.

If he does opt to come back, he'll have a chance to improve his stock once more before entering the NFL draft. He could be that lockdown corner that he has shown he can be but he just needs to stay healthy.

There's no doubt he'll have plenty of potential suitors lined up.