MSU Football: Running Back, Linebacker No Longer On Roster
With spring practice set to begin tomorrow, we got our first look at Michigan State football's first roster under new head coach Jonathan Smith, and there were a couple names missing.
According to multiple publications, an MSU spokesperson has confirmed that two scholarship players — running back Jaelon Barbarin and linebacker Ma'a Gaoteote — are no longer members of the program. Additionally, walk-on wide receiver Aubrey Dawkins is also no longer on Michigan State's active roster.
Gaoteote, a redshirt sophomore, did not appear in any games for the Spartans in 2023 after suffering an upper body injury in spring practice last year. A former 4-star recruit in the class of 2021, Gaoteote appeared in 20 games in his first two seasons in East Lansing with 119 snaps on defense and 105 on special teams. He totaled 15 tackles, with one tackle for loss, a forced fumble and a pass breakup in his MSU career.
Following his freshman season in 2021, Gaoteote entered his name into the NCAA transfer portal for about two weeks before withdrawing his name and remaining with the program.
Barbarin, a redshirt freshman, was a member of former MSU head coach Mel Tucker's final recruiting class (2023). Listed as a three-star athlete, the 5-foot-9 and 180-pounder was recognized as one of the fastest players on the Spartans' roster a season ago. Unfortunately, we didn't get to see that speed displayed in the Green and White, as Barbarin played just one snap — a one-yard carry at Iowa — in his Spartan career before suffering an injury.
Dawkins, a redshirt senior, saw now game action during his four years in East Lansing. These omissions from Michigan State's roster come four days after former Purdue wide receiver T.J. Sheffield announced he was reopening his recruitment after committing to Michigan State out of the transfer portal back on Dec. 18. Michigan State football's will begin spring practice tomorrow, March 19, with the first of 15 total practices spread across five weeks. The Spartans will conclude with a "Spring Showcase" on Satruday, April 20 at Spartan Stadium.
For more coverage of Michigan State Athletics:
- Subscribe to our YouTube channel: @SpartanNationPodcast
- Follow us on Facebook: @SpartanNation
- Follow us on Twitter: @mlounsberry_SI | @a3danm | @Dylan3ngels
