Hank Poteat is already putting in some serious work as the new Michigan State football cornerbacks coach.
The former Iowa State assistant under Matt Campbell was considered one of the best coaches on his staff in Ames before he left for Penn State. That meant that Poteat would have to find a new home, and Pat Fitzgerald and Co. wasted no time getting him to East Lansing.
Poteat is a respected defensive backs coach, and he was seemingly loved by his players at Iowa State. One of those players could be following him to MSU.
According to On3, Michigan State is trending with Iowa State cornerback Tre Bell.
The Spartans hosted Bell on Jan. 3 and then he took a trip to Auburn on Sunday, but it feels like things are moving quickly in this recruitment, and the relationship he has with Poteat should help Michigan State.
Recruiting experts agree as Michigan State received a projection from On3’s prediction machine to land Bell over Auburn.
Bell and Tyran Chappel would be a nice start to the transfer class’ defensive backfield.
Tre Bell has the tools to become an All-Big Ten talent
At Iowa State, Bell was one of the most productive defensive backs on the team in 2025. While Iowa State was just 76th in the country against the pass in 2025, Bell was one of the bright spots in the secondary for the Cyclones.
In fact, he finished his lone FBS season with 36 tackles, four tackles for loss, two pass breakups, and two interceptions. He was productive and adjusted well to the FBS level. He clearly had the tools to become one of the best corners in the Big 12.
Now, he’s looking for a new home and has some SEC interest along with Michigan State. Poteat is going to do whatever is takes to get him in East Lansing.
With the prediction that Michigan State received to land Bell, fans should feel good about the future of the secondary. If all goes as planned and he lands in East Lansing, Michigan State will have upgraded the defensive backfield with Bell and Chappell. Both guys were extremely productive in 2025.
Bell is ranked the No. 12 cornerback in the 2026 transfer class, per 247Sports.
Could this be the beginning of ‘No Fly Zone 2.0’ in East Lansing? I sure hope so.