Michigan State Boosts Secondary with Another Portal Commitment

MSU has already landed six portal commits in a matter of days.

Dec 28, 2024; Shreveport, LA, USA; Army Black Knights running back Noah Short (15) tries to avoid a hit from Louisiana Tech Bulldogs defensive back Michael Richard (5) during the first half of the Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl at Independence Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Danny Wild-Imagn Images | Danny Wild-Imagn Images

More and more transfer portal commitments are beginning to trickle in.

Michigan State now has six known players who are committed to the Spartans. The latest is Louisiana Tech defensive back transfer Michael Richard, who committed early Monday afternoon, according to multiple reports. He has one year of eligibility remaining, was the 2023 Conference USA Freshman of the Year, and was second-team All-CUSA in 2024.

Nov 15, 2025; Pullman, Washington, USA; Louisiana Tech Bulldogs helmet sits during a game against the Washington State Cougars in the first half at Gesa Field at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-Imagn Images | James Snook-Imagn Images

This is the second secondary piece MSU has added via the portal already. Michigan State also picked up Houston Christian cornerback transfer Tyran Chappell on Sunday as well. Both Richard and Chappell visited East Lansing on Saturday.

Richard will join a secondary that will look much, much different than last year. He played both safety and nickelback for Louisiana Tech this year, but those are spots where MSU has much to replace. Starting nickelback Ade Willie is in the portal, while Michigan State has to replace Armorion Smith (portal) and Malik Spencer (eligibility) in the safety room. It helps to get Nikai Martinez back, but he did not play much in 2025 due to injury.

More on Richard

Michigan State Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald addresses fans during a men's basketball game against the Iowa Hawkeyes on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025, at the Breslin Center. Fitzgerald had been formally introduced earlier that day. | Starr Portice, Michigan State Spartans on SI

That ability to play as both a safety and as a nickelback may be something Michigan State is looking for as it fills out its secondary for next fall. Richard ended up making 39 total tackles this year and intercepted three passes. Across his three years at Louisiana Tech, he's totaled 104 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and 11 passes defended.

Currently, Rivals ranks Richard as the No. 867 transfer portal prospect of the cycle and as the No. 79 safety. Richard graded out to a 69.6 overall defense grade on PFF, being charged with 337 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions this year across 365 coverage snaps. He also had a 77.0 grade from PFF at defending the run.

Transfer Portal Tracker

Sep 7, 2024; College Park, Maryland, USA; A detailed view of Michigan State Spartans helmet on the field before the game against the Maryland Terrapins at SECU Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images | Tommy Gilligan-Imagn Images

Incoming Transfers (6)-

Jan. 4 - UConn OT Ben Murawski (1 year remaining); Jan. 4 - Houston Christian CB Tyran Chappell (3 years remaining); Jan. 4 - Iowa P Rhys Dakin (2 years remaining); Jan. 4 - Maine S Devin Vaught (2 years remaining); Jan. 5 - Auburn LB Caleb Wheatland (1 year remaining); Jan. 5 - Louisiana Tech DB Michael Richard (1 year remaining)

Outgoing Transfers (42) -

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); Jan. 2 - DT Alex VanSumeren (2 years remaining); Jan. 2 - S Armorion Smith (1 year remaining); Jan. 2 - WR Shawn Foster (2 years remaining); Jan. 2 - CB Chance Rucker (2 years remaining) Jan. 2 - OL Stanton Ramil (2 years remaining); Jan. 2 - LB Aisea Moa (1 year remaining); Jan. 4 - DB Anthony Pinnace III (1 year remaining)

Michigan State Spartans head coach Pat Fitzgerald speaks to the media following his formal introductory press conference on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025. | Jacob Cotsonika, Michigan State Spartans on SI

Keep up with all our content when you follow the official Spartan Nation page on Facebook, Spartan Nation, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be sure to share your thoughts on MSU adding Michael Richard when you join our community group, Go Green Go White, WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE. Don't forget to give us a follow on X @MSUSpartansOnSI as well.

Never again miss one major story related to your beloved Spartans when you sign up for our 100% FREE newsletter that comes straight to your email with the latest news. SIGN UP HERE NOW