Michigan State Freshman CB Aydan West Enters Transfer Portal After Promising Debut Season
In a move that caught many in East Lansing off guard, Michigan State freshman cornerback Aydan West announced Tuesday that he’s entering the NCAA transfer portal. The decision comes just over a week after he appeared to signal his return for next season, making this a surprising turn for one of the Spartans’ top young defensive talents.
West was a key piece of Michigan State’s 2025 recruiting class and wasted no time making his presence felt on the field. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound corner saw action in all 12 games of his freshman campaign, racking up 19 tackles, one pass breakup, one tackle for loss, and half a sack. That’s not just a solid stat line for a true freshman-it’s the kind of early contribution that typically sets the stage for a bigger role in Year 2.
In fact, heading into the offseason, West was widely expected to be in the mix for a starting job in the Spartans’ secondary. His combination of physicality, instincts, and versatility made him a natural candidate to take on more responsibility as Michigan State looks to rebuild its defense.
That’s what makes this portal entry so intriguing-he wasn’t buried on the depth chart or waiting for his chance. He was already in the rotation and trending upward.
West’s high school résumé gives even more context to his upside. A standout at Quince Orchard High School in Gaithersburg, Maryland, he was a cornerstone of back-to-back undefeated state championship teams.
In his senior season, he posted five interceptions-two of which he returned for touchdowns-while helping Quince Orchard to a 13-0 record and a Maryland 4A state title. He also chipped in as a wide receiver, hauling in 11 passes for 203 yards and four scores.
By the time he wrapped up his high school career, West had etched his name into the program’s record books as Quince Orchard’s all-time leader in interceptions with eight, three of which he took to the house. He was ranked as the No. 18 overall prospect in Maryland for the Class of 2025 by 247Sports.
Given his early production at the college level and a strong pedigree from one of Maryland’s top high school programs, West is likely to draw serious interest from programs across the country. He’s already shown he can contribute as a freshman in the Big Ten, and with three years of eligibility remaining, he becomes an appealing option for teams looking to shore up their secondary with a player who brings both experience and upside.
Wherever he lands next, West will be a name to watch. He’s proven he can play at this level-and now, he’ll have the chance to do it somewhere new.