As the college football calendar winds down and bowl season gives way to the new year, the transfer portal is heating up - and Michigan State finds itself right in the thick of it. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald has some important decisions ahead. With roster turnover, portal entries, and potential additions on the horizon, the Spartans are navigating a critical stretch that could shape the trajectory of the program heading into 2026.
Familiar Faces, New Destinations
The portal isn’t just about who Michigan State might bring in - it’s also about who’s moving on. Several former Spartans are back in the portal, and in some cases, it's not their first time. Among the latest to re-enter is a name that once carried serious hype in East Lansing: Tunmise Adeleye.
Adeleye, a former top-50 national recruit in the 2021 class, is now in the portal for the fourth time. Yes, fourth.
Since leaving Michigan State, he’s made stops at Texas State and most recently UNLV, where he put together a solid 2025 campaign. But now, he’s on the move again, searching for what would be his fifth school in six years.
A Promising Start That Never Settled
When Adeleye transferred to Michigan State from Texas A&M, expectations were sky-high. He was supposed to be a foundational piece on the defensive line under Mel Tucker, part of a much-needed defensive overhaul.
But things unraveled quickly. Tucker was dismissed just a few games into the 2023 season, and Adeleye’s time in East Lansing never fully took off.
He finished that season with nine tackles, two tackles for loss, and a sack in six games - a small sample size that left more questions than answers.
After a year at Texas State, Adeleye found his stride at UNLV in 2025. He posted 49 tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, and six sacks, finally flashing the kind of production that once made him such a coveted recruit. Now, he’s looking to parlay that momentum into one final opportunity - a last stop that could define his path to the NFL.
The Portal Is Packed with Spartan DNA
Adeleye isn’t the only former Spartan making portal headlines. In fact, Michigan State alumni are all over the transfer landscape.
Sam Leavitt and Katin Houser, both quarterbacks once seen as future cornerstones in East Lansing, are back in the portal for a second time. Jaron Glover has also re-entered, and Nick Marsh, a highly-touted wideout, is weighing his options - though a return under wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins isn’t off the table.
The Spartans’ fingerprints are all over the transfer rankings. Three former Michigan State quarterbacks are ranked among the top 10 at the position, and the No. 1 wide receiver in the portal also has East Lansing roots. That’s a testament to the talent that’s come through the program - and a reminder of how volatile the college football landscape has become in the portal era.
What’s Next for Adeleye?
For Adeleye, the next move is critical. He’s coming off his most productive season yet, and the physical tools have never been in question.
But with so many stops along the way, NFL scouts will want to see consistency - not just on the stat sheet, but in stability and fit. A strong 2026 season could finally put him back on draft boards.
But he’ll need to land in the right system, one that allows him to build on the momentum he created at UNLV.
Looking Ahead
As the portal continues to churn, Michigan State will be watching closely - both for potential additions and to see where former Spartans land. For players like Adeleye, this is more than just another transfer.
It’s a final shot to prove they can still live up to the promise they once carried. And for Fitzgerald and the current staff, it’s a chance to reshape the roster and set a new tone for a program that’s seen more than its share of turbulence in recent years.
The portal giveth and taketh - and this offseason, it’s giving us plenty to watch.