Another transfer announcement, another lost player with starting experience for Michigan State football.
Michigan State lost a number of key players to the transfer portal on Wednesday afternoon, starting with Chrishon McCray, then Evan Boyd, and Jalen Thompson followed along with a key offensive lineman.
Kristian Phillips announced on Wednesday that he would be entering the transfer portal once it officially opens on Jan. 2.
The veteran offensive lineman made the announcement and thanked fans on his X account. He thanked fans for a memorable four years and said that he has two years of eligibility left. Phillips said he made the decision after long talks with his family as well as his teammates. He follows Gavin Broscious as the other offensive lineman with playing experience to enter the portal.
Michigan State’s new offensive line coach, Nick Tabacca, is probably meeting personally with all of his guys with the portal about to open, and futures are being decided on the fly. He’s likely crafting his ideal group of linemen.
Like the other new position coaches, Tabacca is going to have to live in the portal for the next month to replace some depth.
Michigan State will have options in the portal
With Phillips, Broscious, and Cooper Terpstra entering the transfer portal, Michigan State will have to figure out which players it wants back in the trenches.
I’d be shocked if Tabacca didn’t try to retain Rustin Young, Conner Moore, Luka Vincic, and Stanton Ramil, as well as some of the younger guys, but he has to be happy about returning AJ Dennis for a third season as a redshirt sophomore. The playing group is going to look a lot different next season, but that’s not a bad thing.
The offensive line has been one of the weakest position groups on the team for years now, and shedding some of the guys who haven’t been as consistent as expected might not be the worst thing, although Phillips showed plenty of promise.
Tabacca and Pat Fitzgerald are going to hit the portal heavily, and I’d be shocked if the offensive line wasn’t a priority. And there’s already one transfer lineman standing out.