The college football transfer portal has always been a source of drama, but this offseason, the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry has taken it to another level. With players crossing enemy lines, tensions are running high - and fans on both sides are making sure their voices are heard.
Let’s start with the spark that really lit the fuse: Fredrick Moore. The former Michigan wide receiver made waves when he decided to transfer to Michigan State - and he didn’t exactly go quietly.
Moore stirred the pot on his way out, trolling his former team on Instagram and making it clear he’s fully leaning into his new Spartan colors. It’s safe to say he won’t be getting a warm welcome if he ever returns to Ann Arbor.
But the back-and-forth didn’t stop there. Michigan State cornerback Charles Brantley - who recently returned to the program - took to social media to throw a playful jab at Justin Denson Jr. when Denson made a visit to Michigan.
It may have been lighthearted, but in a rivalry like this, even a joke carries weight. These moves matter to the players.
It’s not just about football - it’s about loyalty, pride, and the badge on your helmet.
Then came Aisea Moa, whose transfer from Michigan State to Michigan might be the most controversial yet. Moa’s decision stings for Spartan fans, especially since he punctuated his commitment with a not-so-subtle “M” emoji - a simple symbol that speaks volumes in this rivalry. Moa is a former BYU linebacker who had a brief stint in East Lansing, and now he’s headed to Ann Arbor to play for a coach who, let’s just say, doesn’t exactly top the popularity charts among BYU fans either.
But here’s the twist: Moa’s move wasn’t just about football. He’s following his younger brother, Salesi Moa, who committed to Michigan during the Polynesian Bowl.
That family connection gives the decision a bit more context - and maybe a little forgiveness, depending on who you ask. Still, it won’t soften the blow entirely for Michigan State fans, who’ve seen this kind of thing before.
In fact, Moa’s not the first to make the jump from green to blue. Jaden Mangham - once a starting safety for the Spartans - transferred to Michigan, only to move on again to Purdue. That one raised eyebrows at the time, and in hindsight, it looks like a move that never really found its footing.
Then there’s Rayshaun Benny, who flipped from Michigan State to Michigan on signing day. And before him, Drake Harris made a similar switch, drawing the ire of Spartan Nation. These names have become part of the lore - players who crossed the line and never heard the end of it.
The difference with Moa? He wasn’t in East Lansing long enough to make a major impact.
He transferred in from BYU and didn’t have the kind of on-field presence that would etch his name into Spartan history. That might spare him the full wrath of the rivalry, but let’s be clear - he’s not walking back into Spartan Stadium to a standing ovation anytime soon.
This is what makes college football so compelling. The rivalries run deep, the emotions are raw, and every move - whether it’s a transfer, a flip, or even an emoji - adds another layer to the story. And in the case of Michigan and Michigan State, that story just got a little more personal.