New faces on the football team report for duty
For those wondering about this cover photo, that is a shot of new Michigan State running back Jace Clarizio catching a pass during his senior year of high school at East Lansing High School. A couple of weeks ago, MSU’s spring semester began, and with it came 27 midyear enrollees who will be a part of the football team in the 2025 season.
Of that 27, 16 came from the transfer portal and another 11, including Clarizio, are guys who decided to leave high school a semester early to get a jump on being a part of the football program. Per ESPN.com, MSU has 19 freshmen in the 2025 cycle, meaning another 8 will join the team over the summer.
The transfers who just came to East Lansing are:
Malcolm Bell, DB (UConn)
Evan Boyd, WR (Central Michigan)
Rodney Bullard, WR (Valdosta State)
NiJhay Burt, DB (Eastern Illinois)
Caleb Carter, OL (Western Carolina)
Joshua Eaton, DB (Texas State)
Matt Gulbin, OL (Wake Forest)
Grady Kelly, DL (Florida State)
Omari Kelly, WR (Middle Tennessee)
Anelu Lafaele, Edge (Wisconsin)
Chrishon McCray, WR (Kent State)
Aisea Moa, LB (BYU)
Conner Moore, OL (Montana State)
David Santiago, Edge (Air Force)
Elijah Tau-Tolliver, RB (Sacramento State)
Luka Vincic, OL (Oregon State)
And the incoming freshmen are:
Justin Bell, OL
Jace Clarizio, RB
Braylon Collier, WR
Zion Gist, RB
Leo Hannan, QB
DiMari Malone, LB
George Mullins, DB
Derrick Simmons, DL
Charles Taplin, WR
Cal Thrush, DL
Aydan West, DB
Per 247 Sports, MSU has the 22nd ranked transfer class for 2025. The highlights of this bunch are Conner Moore (OT from Montana State), Omari Kelly (WR from Middle Tennessee State), and David Santiago (Edge from Air Force). With the lack of talent at these positions in 2024 plus the exodus of players from last year’s roster, these three guys should have the opportunity to step in and be instant contributors in the coming season. This certainly does not mean you should sleep on the other names. The WR position was one that was particularly affected by guys going to the portal, so the other 3 receivers from the portal, not to mention the 2 early enrollees, should also have good chances to see the field in Jonathan Smith’s second season at the helm.
Among the early enrollees, ESPN gave just one a 4-star ranking, that being Clarizio. As you may remember, Clarizio initially gave his commitment to MSU, then withdrew and said he would be going to Alabama instead, only to end up flipping back and signing with MSU on national signing day. 247Sports has Clarizio as a 3-star player, but does give a fourth star to two other guys on MSU’s list, Derrick Simmons (DL from Frankenmuth, MI) and Charles White (LB from Orchard Lake, MI). The rest are three-star recruits.
Let’s hear from you. What are your thoughts on the incoming talent? Who are you excited for?