We’re getting closer to the opening of the transfer portal, which means that players have decisions to make over the next couple of weeks. Michigan State players have a bit of added pressure considering they just changed coaches and they have to build a relationship with Pat Fitzgerald if they do choose to stay.
There’s a lot happening in East Lansing these days.
Michigan State has already lost Aidan Chiles, Makhi Frazier, Nick Marsh, and Gavin Broscious to the transfer portal, but several other key players have announced their returns.
Brady Pretzlaff and Alessio Milivojevic headline the group of returning players, but some younger guys, too, are standing out as likely returners. Derrick Simmons hinted at a return last week, Braylon Collier, too, looks like he’ll be back, and one more freshman from the 2025 class who looks like a future star has teased a return to Michigan State.
Freshman cornerback Aydan West posted this on X on Tuesday, and it has everyone talking about his return in 2026 because he looks like a guy who could flourish under this defensive staff.
Lord Jesus, thank you for everything you have blessed me with this year‼️ Year one was cool, but we coming for everything year two! pic.twitter.com/rY6WinnTiD
— 5⭐️ Aydan West (@AydanWest0) December 23, 2025
West had a solid true freshman season and saw his snaps increase throughout the year. He looked like much of a polished product near the end of the season than he did earlier on, and with a full offseason under this defensive-minded staff, I wouldn’t be shocked to see him take a massive step forward.
West is a huge piece to the future of the defense.
Michigan State has gotten some young stars back
Getting West back is just the latest example of a rising star deciding to return to Michigan State under Fitzgerald. He joins Simmons, Milivojevic, Pretzlaff, and Collier as younger guys who look like they’re going to be the faces of the program for years.
I wouldn’t be shocked to see more receivers and tight ends announce that they’ll be back after Fitzgerald retained Courtney Hawkins and Brian Wozniak.
The future of the program is looking bright under Fitzgerald, and getting these young pieces back is going to help immediately. He’s not done quite yet.