MSU Football Losing Key Defensive Player to Transfer Portal
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This is definitely another painful one.
Michigan State starting defensive tackle Alex VanSumeren has reportedly entered the transfer portal. VanSumeren was a key component of the Spartans' interior defensive line this past season, finishing with 52 total tackles. That was the most tackles for an MSU interior defensive lineman by a wide margin.
VanSumeren has been a part of the Michigan State program for four seasons and will have two years of eligibility remaining. He completes his time at MSU with 28 total appearances, 71 total tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and 3.0 sacks. His brother, Ben, also played for Michigan State and is now a member of the Philadelphia Eagles.
The total number of Spartans from this year's roster who are at least planning to enter the portal has now reached 36. That number will likely increase slightly; the transfer portal officially opened Friday morning at midnight and will stay open until Jan. 16.
More on VanSumeren
VanSumeren came to Michigan State as a very highly touted recruit. The Spartans won a recruiting battle over rival Michigan to get the Bay City, Mich., native, who visited Penn State, Texas A&M, and Northwestern, and received reported offers from Alabama, Clemson, and Oregon.
Part of the sting of this news is that it felt like VanSumeren could be the type of player who would stick around. He is from the state and had already stuck with MSU through one coaching change. There being no announcement or definitive report on his status prior to the portal officially opening might have gotten one's hopes up about him staying as well.
Transfer Portal Tracker
Outgoing Transfers (36) -
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)
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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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