Michigan State went into the transfer portal with a clear purpose, and the Spartans came away with a haul that could reshape the roster fast. Head coach Pat Fitzgerald made his intentions known in East Lansing, and the push for talent has put Michigan State in position to chase its first .500 season since 2021.
A year-by-year transfer splash is part of the modern game, and Michigan State has a few newcomers who could turn into major difference-makers in 2026. The list starts on defense with Brantley, who was a key starter and top defender for the Spartans under defensive coordinator Joe Rossi in 2024 before heading to the Miami Hurricanes last fall.
His time there was brief, and he’s back in East Lansing now to finish his college career on a high note. Brantley already showed what he can do two years ago, when he posted three interceptions and 27 tackles, including a pick-six for Michigan State.
That kind of playmaking is still in the bag, and he has a real chance to become one of the top names on the roster by season’s end.
Up front, Ben Murawski brings the kind of size that jumps off the page. UConn sent a couple of top starters from its 9-3 season west to East Lansing, and Murawski is one of them.
At 6-foot-7 and 340 pounds, he gives Michigan State a massive presence with the power to shut things down at the line. He’s played multiple spots, but he’s settling in at left tackle again this season.
With that frame and that experience, the redshirt senior has the tools to become one of the best players on the 2026 roster and push himself into superstar territory in the Big Ten.
Then there’s Fraley, whose résumé already includes a lot of winning. He started at Marshall, transferred to North Dakota State, and quickly became one of the Bison’s top players.
He started every game he played there and earned First Team All-America honors while also winning the Rimington Award as the best center in the subdivision. Now he’s taking his final college step at Michigan State.
He’s still unproven as an FBS starter, but the setup is there for him to make a sudden jump, especially with the Spartans putting an emphasis on the run game. If he opens lanes for running back Cam Edwards, he could become a major name in a hurry.
Special teams can change games, and Dakin gives Michigan State a chance to win that hidden battle. The junior from Melbourne, Australia, comes over after two strong years at Iowa, where punting and field position have long been part of the program’s identity.
He also joins Charlotte transfer kicker Liam Boyd in what could be a strong special teams unit. Dakin has 26 punts of 50-plus yards in his career, and that kind of leg gives him a shot to become a special punter for the Spartans.
In Other News...
Moneyball Just Triggered Every Michigan State Fans Worst Injury Fear
Moneyball Pro-Am basketball games were put on hold Tuesday after organizers decided the floor conditions were too risky, a move that immediately put player safety front and center for Michigan State fans. The suspension came after concerns had already been building around the event, which has become a summer stop for Spartans followers watching their teams players get extra run in a less formal setting.
The timing makes the pause feel especially significant because the whole point is to get useful basketball work without putting anyone in harms way. With the event now sidelined, the biggest question is whether it can get back on schedule later in the week, or whether the caution will linger long enough to keep the games from returning when expected. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State Just Entered A Brutal Fight For An Elite Guard
Michigan State has put itself in the mix for one of the most closely watched guards in the 2027 class, officially extending an offer to Antonio Pemberton. The four-star point guard from Massachusetts has built a strong national profile, entering the conversation as a high-level prospect with a reputation for efficient scoring, playmaking and a steady rise through summer showcases.
The Spartans are hardly alone in chasing him. Pemberton already has 20 offers, and the race only figures to get tighter with other major programs circling after Michigan State made its move. For a staff still working the 2027 guard board, it is another sign that the pursuit will be crowded, and that landing a player of Pembertons caliber will take more than just getting in early. [Read more 🡒]
Michigan State May Have Finally Found Its Answer At Center
Michigan State spent the spring looking for stability in the middle of its offensive line, and the search has brought in a veteran with a decorated rsum. The Spartans added a redshirt senior center who started every game at North Dakota State, giving the staff an experienced option at a spot that can shape both protection and the run game.
The appeal goes beyond simple depth. His background includes the FCS Rimington Award, along with All-American recognition and first-team all-conference honors, which is the kind of production that suggests he can step into a major role quickly. The remaining question is how smoothly that success translates to the Big Ten, but for a line that needed answers, Michigan State at least has a compelling place to start. [Read more 🡒]