Before you listen to rival fans, no, the sky is not falling on Michigan State football with all of the transfer news. The Spartans have lost nearly a dozen players to the transfer portal already since the Pat Fitzgerald hire, but that’s because he‘s meeting with players and being honest with them about how they’ll be used in East Lansing.
We have seen some key starters like Makhi Frazier, Gavin Broscious, and Nick Marsh hit the portal already as well as some younger guys who were expected to have an impact here, but there haven’t been many program-altering departures.
In fact, the biggest name outside of Marsh and Frazier to hit the portal was probably Darius Snow, and he doesn’t even technically have eligibility left.
However, another key player hit the portal on Thursday afternoon, just a couple of hours after Snow announced his intention to transfer. Ade Willie, who played just four games because of an injury, will have that redshirt available. He was able to hold onto his redshirt because you can play in four games and still redshirt. Willie recorded 16 tackles and a pass breakup in those four games.
Some thought he could return in 2026 and have a larger role on the defense, but it looks like he’s going to do that elsewhere.
The former IMG Academy cornerback had offers from Vanderbilt, West Virginia, SMU, Kansas State, Virginia, Colorado, and Arizona, among others, out of high school, so he should have some options in the transfer portal. In his four years at Michigan State, he had 34 total tackles.
Ade Willie’s departure hurts Michigan State’s secondary depth
While I don’t think Willie is as important to Michigan State’s future secondary plans as someone like Aydan West, I do think that he could have played the role of leader in the defensive backfield next season and likely could have carved out a nice role as a nickel.
Unfortunately, he’s moving on to find a home where he can start and showcase his talents before taking a stab at the professional route.
As long as the Spartans keep guys like West and Chance Rucker, I think that’s a good enough start for Pat Fitzgerald, and he can complement these guys via the transfer portal.
Secondary depth will be important next season.