Michigan State Football: Ranking all transfers for the 2021 season

Info: Player profile
Former team: Michigan
Eligibility: One year
Position: Linebacker
High school recruiting rating: 3-star
Expected role: Compete for a starting linebacker position but more than likely may start some games

It’s unusual but not shocking that the Spartans would get a transfer from top rival Michigan. Ben VanSumeren comes to East Lansing with playing experience, having started some games in the Big Ten. He originally started off his collegiate career as a fullback but later switched to linebacker where he started two games for Michigan in 2020.

It’s no secret that the Spartans don’t have many experienced linebackers from last season’s team and along with the secondary, getting linebackers to commit to Michigan State via the transfer portal was one of the main priorities for Mel Tucker and his defensive staff. He will have every opportunity and chance to compete for a starting linebacker spot at the start of the season.

Even if he does not become a starting linebacker, he adds depth within the linebacking corps and is a starter on special teams.

Info: Player profile
Former team: Auburn
Eligibility: Two years with possibly a third as he sat out in 2020
Position: Running back
High school recruiting rating: 4-star
Expected role: Compete for the starting running back position but more than likely a key third-down back and possibly a slot receiver

If there is one position that has the most depth and greatly improved in the offseason, it’s the running back room. Michigan State has six scholarship running backs going into the 2021 season with four of them possibly contributing this season to the Spartans’ running game. Harold Joiner without question is a talented and gifted running back but his production at Auburn on paper was not eye-popping.

What may separate Joiner from the other running backs is that he is a legit dual-threat who can catch passes out of the backfield and also possibly break away from a missed tackle for a 60-yard touchdown run. He has the potential to be a very productive third-down back and it is possible with his superior speed that he can be become and develop into a great change-of-pace back for the Spartans this season.

Info: Player profile
Former team: Purdue
Eligibility: Four years
Position: Reciever/tight end
High school recruiting rating: 4-star
Expected role: If he plays tight end this season, he will be competing for the starting job but if he plays receiver he will be a backup

Out of the incoming transfers, Maliq Carr can play multiple positions at one of the wide receiver spots or as a tight end. With his size and speed, if he ends up plays tight end, he has a good chance of starting this fall. He’s not just good at football as he also plans on playing basketball for Tom Izzo and Michigan State at the conclusion of football season. Without much doubt, Carr is one of the top transfers for the Spartans this offseason, and him being ranked No. 8 on this list shows you how well Tucker and his staff have done.

Info: Player profile
Former team: Arkansas State
Eligibility: Two years
Position: Offensive tackle
High school recruiting rating: N/R
Expected role: Start at right tackle but it’s no guarantee and even if he’s not named a starter for the season opener, he more than likely will become one

The offensive line at Michigan State has been bad for years and Tucker and his staff are doing everything in their power to revamp and improve the position group. Adding linemen through the portal was not a huge concern for the Spartans but getting Jarrett Horst to East Lansing with the strong possibility of starting this fall is a big win. He started at left tackle in the Spartans’ spring game and he is expected to start in the season opener again Northwestern. He has plenty of experience as he started the bulk of games while playing at Arkansas State the previous two seasons and he has the experience and ability to excel in the Big Ten.