Michigan State’s Offensive Line Exodus Signals a Full Reset Under Fitzgerald
The transfer portal has been busy this winter, and Michigan State just got caught in the storm. On a Wednesday that felt more like a roster purge than a routine offseason shuffle, the Spartans saw a wave of departures-particularly along the offensive line. Five linemen entered the portal in a single day, a number that speaks volumes about where this program stands and where it might be headed.
Among the departures are Justin Bell, Kristian Phillips, Cole Dellinger, and the Luniewski twins-Mercer and Charlton-both redshirt freshmen who were brought in under former head coach Mel Tucker. They originally committed in the summer before Tucker’s dismissal and chose to stay on when Jonathan Smith took the reins. But with Pat Fitzgerald now in charge and a new offensive line coach in Nick Tabacca, the twins have decided to seek opportunities elsewhere.
At 6-foot-6 and 320 pounds (Mercer) and 6-foot-5, 307 pounds (Charlton), the Luniewski brothers certainly bring size to the table. But they hadn’t yet cracked the regular rotation on an offensive line that struggled mightily throughout a 4-8 season. Their departure, along with the others, doesn’t necessarily leave the Spartans in a worse spot talent-wise-but it does thin out the depth chart considerably.
And that’s where the pressure starts to mount.
This isn’t just a numbers issue. It’s a reflection of a program in transition, one that’s clearly looking to overhaul a unit that underperformed in 2025.
Michigan State’s offensive line was one of its weakest links, often failing to establish a consistent push in the run game or keep the pocket clean for the quarterbacks. So while losing players en masse might sound like a red flag, in this case, it might be the clean slate the Spartans desperately need.
Still, depth matters. And with this many bodies exiting, Fitzgerald and Tabacca are going to have to hit the transfer portal hard and fast.
The portal officially reopens on Jan. 2, and you can bet Michigan State will be active from the jump. Whether it’s targeting experienced starters or high-upside developmental pieces, the Spartans need reinforcements-and quickly.
There are still some key returners who could anchor the rebuild. AJ Dennis has already announced he’s coming back, and if Fitzgerald can retain players like Rustin Young, Conner Moore, Stanton Ramil, and Luka Vincic, there’s at least a foundation to build on. But make no mistake: this is a group that needs a reset, and that’s exactly what it’s getting.
For Fitzgerald, this is one of his first real tests as he reshapes the roster in his image. The offensive line is the heartbeat of any offense, and right now, Michigan State’s is flatlining.
The good news? There’s nowhere to go but up.