What to make of Michigan State football, Brandon Lane parting ways

Shortly after receiving some good news on Thursday with the addition of Andrew Dennis from the transfer portal, Michigan State football got some bad news.

That has kind of been the theme with this offseason and the transfer portal. The second Michigan State gets good news, bad news comes barreling in.

For example, on Tuesday, Ed Woods committed to Michigan State over Alabama and that great news was immediately followed by Geno VanDeMark, Ethan Boyd, Jaren Mangham, and Jaden Mangham all entering the transfer portal. Two potential starters gone just like that.

On Thursday, Michigan State landed Dennis and then parted ways with recent defensive line commit Brandon Lane from Stephen F. Austin.

Just not the best news we could have hoped for, especially with both Simeon Barrow and Derrick Harmon transferring this offseason. The defensive tackle depth is lacking but there are rumors that Harmon is still an option despite the second entrance into the portal this offseason. He is also considering Colorado, USC, Oregon, and Ohio State.

But what does this loss mean for Michigan State?

Well, it means that Jonathan Smith has to go into the portal to find another defensive tackle or probably two. He's hosting a Grand Valley State transfer this weekend, so look for the Spartans to push for a commitment as the need for a tackle has grown significantly.

Also, it means that whatever the issue was between Lane and Michigan State was big enough for Smith to stomach losing even more depth at a position of major need.

While I'm not panicking just yet, I do think that the defensive line needs to be addressed in the portal and that should be one of the remaining position groups to be addressed along with the defensive backfield and also receiver.

Michigan State should be OK, but there is no room for injuries in 2024.