With all of the attrition Michigan State football has suffered in the defensive back room this offseason, Jonathan Smith has made it a priority to hit the portal for help.
On top of losing cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin to UCLA, the Spartans are losing Jaylen Thompson and Charles Brantley to the transfer portal. Also, high-three-star cornerback LaRue Zamorano decommitted from Michigan State shortly after the Martin news broke.
It's safe to say that the secondary has taken some hits this offseason.
But Smith is working to rebuild that group and he's doing so through the portal as well as his 2025 recruiting class. The portal, however, will have a larger immediate impact.
That's why Smith has been offering some of the top defensive backs on the market, highlighted by the No. 3 cornerback in the portal, Brice Pollock of Mississippi State. The Spartans actually hosted the talented cornerback on Wednesday, per Justin Thind of 247Sports.
Pollock is one of the top defensive backs to hit the portal and he's tied for the third-best cornerback along with another Spartan target who I'll write about later. He's been very productive over his two-year career with Mississippi State, totaling 72 tackles, two tackles for loss, an interception, a forced fumble, and 10 pass breakups. Nine of those pass breakups and the pick came in 2024.
A plethora of Power Four teams have already shown interest in Pollock and it's going to be a fight to the finish for him, but for Smith to work quickly and get him on campus already is huge.
The first-year head coach is making some power moves in the portal. Let's hope the visit went well and he's seriously considering the Spartans still.