The first major transfer portal loss has struck the Michigan State football program as arguably the best offensive weapon not named Alessio Milivojevic has announced that he’s entering the transfer portal following the Jonathan Smith firing.
Pat Fitzgerald is walking into some tough news.
That star offensive player is none other than sophomore wideout Nick Marsh who had a solid year, but struggled with some drops near the end of the season that felt frustration-based. He finished the season strong with 10 catches for 150 yards over the final two games, but Marsh will be looking for a new home this offseason.
BREAKING: Michigan State star WR Nick Marsh plans to enter the @TransferPortal, per his agent @allantegardner
— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) December 1, 2025
The 6’3 215 WR totaled 100 receptions for 1,311 Yards & 9 TDs in his 2 seasons with the Spartans ⁰⁰Will be one of the Top Portal WRs ⁰⁰https://t.co/RlUbB6Fk7q pic.twitter.com/4GtRZZkk20
Marsh’s departure opens the door for some younger receivers to step up like Braylon Collier and Bryson Williams, but if Chrishon McCray returns, that will give Michigan State and Milivojevic a true No. 1 option with experience and a proven track record.
Unfortunately, Middle Tennessee transfer Omari Kelly is out of eligibility after a strong season with the Spartans. He leaves with Marsh and now the top three receiving options (including Jack Velling) and the top two rushers (Makhi Frazier and Elijah Tau-Tolliver) are all moving on. Michigan State’s offense is going to look a lot different next season.
While this loss will come with mixed reactions seeing as it was fairly expected that Marsh would get some big-time NIL offers from other programs, it still hurts seeing a player with so much promise leave the program after a solid two-year start.
In his two years in East Lansing, Marsh caught 100 passes for 1,311 yards and nine touchdowns. He was Michigan State’s most productive receiver since Jayden Reed.
Of course there’s still a chance that Fitzgerald and Michigan State could make him an NIL offer that he can’t refuse to stay home, but I don’t know if it’s worth overpaying for a receiver instead of the offensive line or even the secondary.
As long as Marsh doesn’t end up at Michigan, I think Michigan State fans can understand his departure considering he has committed to two different head coaches in East Lansing and would also be potentially losing his wide receivers coach, assuming Fitzgerald doesn’t bring Courtney Hawkins back.
Expect more portal entrants in the coming days.