© Sara Diggins/American-Statesman / USA
Two Longhorns Hit Transfer Portal, Could Be Targets for Michigan State, Coach Smith
The Michigan State Spartans might consider going after former Longhorn offensive lineman Payton Kirkland and edge rusher Billy Walton.
Michigan State football has been continuing to rebuild this spring. Spartan coach Jonathan Smith and his coaching staff are implementing a new offense and the "Spring Showcase" is only days away.
But with the transfer portal having opened on Tuesday, Smith and his staff will also be directing some of their focus in that area.
Per Hayes Fawcett of On3, Texas Longhorn offensive lineman Payton Kirkland entered the transfer portal on Monday. Kirkland was redshirted last season.
Kirkland was rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports going into college. He had a grade of 90.
The 6-foot-6 offensive tackle was No. 25 at his position and No. 59 overall in the state of Florida by 247Sports. He was selected to the 2023 All-America Bowl.
Kirkland received over 50 offers and even had Michigan State among his top-five schools, which also included Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma and Miami. He unofficially visited East Lansing for multiple days in April 2022, per 247Sports. He officially visited Michigan State that June.
Kirkland committed to Texas a month later.
In his recent media availability, Michigan State offensive line coach Jim Michalczik spoke on the tackle position as it stands now.
"We're getting better," Michalczik said. "Are we where we want to be? No. As long we keep getting better. It's early to make assumptions."
Michigan State is heavily recruiting the class of 2025, but Kirkland might be a great option to bolster the offensive line.
Another Longhorn the Spartans could go after is edge rusher Billy Walton. Walton also entered the transfer portal on Monday. 247Sports posted the news on X, formally known as Twitter.
The 6-foot-3, 229-pound edge rusher was rated a three-star prospect by 247Sports. He had an 89 grade. Walton was ranked as the No. 42 edge rusher in the country and the No. 68 player in the state of Texas.
247Sports scouting analyst Gabe Brooks liked Walton as a prospect, projecting him as a "Power 5 Starter."
"Experience in varied capacities, including traditional defensive end, standing edge, and off-ball linebacker," Brooks wrote. "May best project as hybrid edge player who can occasionally drop as needed. [Walton] Plays consistently hard. Shows chase-down athleticism and good linear pursuit speed. Closes with conviction and can deliver big hits. Makes effort plays versus the run and as a rusher."
Walton possesses tools some of the best Spartan edge rushers have had.
Kirkland and Walton both have four years of eligibility remaining.
The Michigan State Spartan Football "Spring Showcase" will be held at the High Cathedral of the Spartan Nation, Spartan Stadium, on April 20, 2024, at 2 p.m.
Don’t forget to follow the official Spartan Nation Page on Facebook Spartan Nation WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE, and be a part of our vibrant community group Go Green Go White as well WHEN YOU CLICK RIGHT HERE.
