Michigan State adds 4 from transfer portal, including former 5-star

Jonathan Smith and the Spartans remain active in the transfer portal, bolstering their roster with key additions...

Author:
Matthew Lounsberry
Publish date:
Jan 11, 2024 2:34 PM EST

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It's been an active week for Michigan State in the transfer portal, as head coach Jonathan Smith and the Spartans continue to add key pieces to bolster their 2024 roster.

It started on Sunday, when MSU received a commitment from cornerback Tony Grimes, a former 5-star prospect in the class of 2020 who is expected to make an immediate impact in the Spartans' secondary.

Grimes began his career at North Carolina and was a three-year starter for the Tar Heels. During his time in Chapel Hill, the 6-foot-1, 195-pounder recorded 97 tackles, including 3.5 for loss and a sack, and added 20 pass breakups, an interceptions and a forced fumble in 37 career games at UNC. Following the 2022 season, Grimes entered the portal and transferred to Texas A&M. Unfortunately, the senior suffered an injury during the Aggies' training camp this past fall which sidelined him for the entirety of the 2023 season.

On Tuesday, Michigan State added another experienced defensive player out of the portal at a position of need — former Georgia Tech defensive tackle D'Quan Douse.

Douse comes to East Lansing with one season of eligibility remaining after spending the previous five seasons with the Yellow Jackets. The 6-foot-2, 290-pounder is one of the most experienced players in all of college football, having appeared in 44 games with 24 starts at Georgia Tech after taking a redshirt year in 2019.

Over the last two seasons, Douse has averaged 30.5 tackles, 4.25 tackles for loss and 2.75 sacks per year as a starter for the Yellow Jackets. In his career, the redshirt senior has totaled 69 tackles, 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks and three forced fumbles.

Michigan State's defensive additions continued on Wednesday, when the Spartans plucked former Old Dominion linebacker Wayne Matthews III out of the transfer portal as well.

The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder is coming off a monster 2023 season for the Monarchs, in which he recorded 135 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles and three pass breakups. Matthews, a redshirt sophomore, ranked 11th in the FBS in total tackles this past season and was a third-team All-Sun Belt honoree. He comes to Michigan State with two seasons of eligibility remaining.

Finally, the Spartans also received a commitment from former Western Michigan punter Carson Voss, a native of Dansville (Mich.) who will fulfill a lifelong desire to play at MSU. A redshirt sophomore, Voss averaged 39.6 yards per punt on 48 attempts for the Broncos in 2023. Voss had six punts of over 50 yards and downed 11 inside the 20 with one touchback. He'll add depth for MSU at punter behind redshirt freshman Ryan Eckley, who performed well in the role for the Spartans this past season.

In total, Michigan State has now added 11 players out of the transfer portal this offseason. A complete list of the Spartans' additions and departures can be viewed here.

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