Michigan State transfer portal losses: 3 impact players Jonathan Smith lost during winter window ft. Charles Brantley

After fading away in the second half of the 2024 season, the Michigan State Spartans are looking to get back to bowl contention in 2025. Coming off a third straight losing season, the Spartans will look to add more talent for the 2025 season.

The Spartans have landed four offensive linemen, including tackle Conner Moore. The expectation is that with a new offensive line, the offense would improve on their 115th ranking.

As for their losses in the transfer portal, Michigan State will lose a few key contributors from 2024, but perhaps some upside for the new season. The team showed some imporovement in Jonathan Smith's first season as coach, but there's still a lot of work to be done.

Here are three impact players who aren’t going back to East Lansing for next season:

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Three impact players Michigan State lost in the transfer portal

Jaron Glover will play at Mississippi State in 2025 - Source: Imagn

#3 Ken Talley, Defensive End.

After originally going to Penn State, the former 4-star recruit transferred to Michigan State for the 2023 season. He played sparingly in 2023 before becoming a pass rush specialist in 2024.

Talley finished the year with six tackles, two tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks in 10 games. The redshirt sophomore entered the transfer portal and committed to the Arkansas Razorbacks.

While he didn’t contribute much on the stat sheet, Ken Talley offered depth to the Spartans' defensive front.

#2 Jaron Glover, Wide Receiver

After three years at East Lansing, Jaron Glover is transferring to the Mississippi State Bulldogs. He battled with injuries in 2024, missing three games and finishing with 15 receptions for 192 yards and two touchdowns.

The redshirt sophomore showed some potential at Michigan State but struggled to stay on the field and will look for greener pastures. The Spartans will also lose Jaelen Smith and Aziah Johnson to the portal, leaving little depth at receiver.

A Sarasota, Florida native, Glover tried the transfer portal last season only to return to the Spartans. This time he has already committed to the Bulldogs.

#1 Charles Brantley, Cornerback

Charles Brantley was a three-year starter at Michigan State. Brantley had his most productive season in 2024 with three interceptions, seven pass deflections and 27 tackles. He took one of those interceptions back for a touchdown.

The Sarasota, Florida, native had 103 tackles, 18 pass deflections, a sack, five interceptions and two touchdowns in four years at East Lansing. He will finish his college career closer to home, as Brantley has already committed to Miami.