Former Starting Michigan State OL to Enter Transfer Portal
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One of Michigan State's former full-time starters on the offensive line is going to enter the transfer portal.
Right tackle Ashton Lepo, who started all 12 of MSU's games in 2024, announced Thursday afternoon that he would be entering the transfer portal, which officially opens on Friday. Lepo also made four appearances with two starts this past year, but suffered a season-ending injury.
Lepo's path towards becoming a starter had been largely erased last season. Michigan State added Conner Moore via the portal last offseason, who became the Spartans' starting right tackle this past season. Both he and left tackle Stanton Ramil have the chance to return in 2026, and neither has made a portal announcement in the wake of the team's coaching change.
The total number of players planning to enter the transfer portal has now reached 35. A large roster reset was always likely after the firing of Jonathan Smith following a 4-8 season, but seeing it in practice with Pat Fitzgerald can seem a little jarring. Michigan State football will look much, much different next fall.
More on Lepo
Lepo came to Michigan State as a three-star prospect out of Grand Haven, Mich. He was recruited by former MSU offensive line coach Chris Kapilovic, who is now at Alabama. Lepo was also ranked 948th overall in the class of 2022 on the 247Sports Composite rankings, choosing Michigan State over offers from Arizona State, Baylor, Cincinnati, and Indiana.
He will still have two years of eligibility left after spending four years with the Spartans. Lepo redshirted during his true freshman season and presumably got a medical redshirt for this past season. After rotating in a bit in 2023, Lepo became a full-time starter in 2024. He received a 45.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus across that '24 campaign.
Transfer Portal Tracker
Outgoing Transfers (35) -
Nov. 30 - RB Makhi Frazier (2 years remaining); Dec. 1 - WR Nick Marsh (2 years remaining); Dec. 5 - EDGE Stone Chaney (4 years remaining); Dec. 8 - DB Jeremiah Hughes (2 years remaining); Dec. 8 - S Tracy Revels (2 years remaining); Dec. 8 - OG Gavin Broscious (1 or 2 years remaining); Dec. 9 - OL Rashawn Rogers (4 years remaining); Dec. 10 - DB Justin Denson Jr. (3 years remaining); Dec. 10 - LB Semaj Bridgeman (2 years remaining); Dec. 11 - LB Darius Snow (1 year remaining); Dec. 11 - DB Ade Willie (1 year remaining); Dec. 11 - EDGE Tyler Gillison (1-2 years remaining); Dec. 12 - LS Kaden Schickel (1 year remaining); Dec. 15 - QB Aidan Chiles (1 year remaining); Dec. 15 - LB Marcellius Pulliam (2 years remaining)
Dec. 16 - WR Grant Calcagno (2 years remaining); Dec. 23 - DB George Mullins (4 years remaining); Dec. 23 - DB Elisha West (3 years remaining); Dec. 27 - TE Michael Masunas (2 years remaining); Dec. 28 - OL Cooper Terpstra (2 years remaining); Dec. 30 - K Martin Connington (3 years remaining); Dec. 31 - WR Evan Boyd (2 years remaining); Dec. 31 - OL Kristian Phillips (1 year remaining); Dec. 31 - EDGE Jalen Thompson (1-2 years remaining); Dec. 31 - WR Chrishon McCray (1 year remaining); Dec. 31 - OL Cole Dellinger (3 years remaining); Dec. 31- TE Wyatt Hook (3 years remaining); Dec. 31 - QB Ryland Jessee (3 years remaining) Dec. 31 - EDGE David Santiago (2 years remaining); Dec. 31 - CB Aydan West (3 years remaining)
Dec. 31 - OL Justin Bell (4 years remaining); Dec. 31 - OL Charlton Luniewski (3 years remaining); Dec. 31 - OL Mercer Luniewski (3 years remaining); Dec. 31 - OL Payton Stewart (3 years remaining); Jan. 1 - OL Ashton Lepo (2 years remaining)
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A 2025 graduate from Michigan State University, Cotsonika brings a wealth of experience covering the Spartans from Rivals and On3 to his role as Michigan State Spartans Beat Writer on SI. At Michigan State, he was also a member of the world-renowned Spartan marching band for two seasons.
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