Michael Masunas Enters Transfer Portal, Leaving a Void in Michigan State's Tight End Room
Michigan State’s offense just took a hit it wasn’t expecting. Junior tight end Michael Masunas, a key piece of the Spartans’ offensive puzzle, has officially entered the transfer portal, opting to leave the program with a year of eligibility still on the table. The timing - and the player - make this one sting a little more than most.
Masunas wasn’t on many transfer watch lists, and that’s part of what makes this move so surprising. He had just wrapped up a productive season, pulling in 19 receptions for 232 yards and three touchdowns.
At 6-foot-5, the Arizona native brought a rare blend of size, physicality, and versatility to the tight end position. He wasn’t just a pass-catcher - he was a legitimate dual-threat tight end, just as comfortable sealing the edge in the run game as he was finding soft spots in zone coverage.
The expectation internally was that Masunas would step into the TE1 role next season. With Brian Wozniak back on staff - one of the top tight end developers in the Big Ten - and the offensive staff taking shape under Pat Fitzgerald and Nick Sheridan, Masunas figured to be a focal point in the Spartans’ 2026 plans. Now, that plan needs a rewrite.
Masunas still has one year of eligibility remaining, and there’s also the possibility of a medical redshirt after a shoulder issue in 2024, which could extend his college career even further. Wherever he ends up, he’ll bring experience and a well-rounded skill set that’s hard to find at the college level.
What This Means for Michigan State
Let’s be clear: losing Masunas is a blow. His ability to contribute in both the passing game and run game made him a valuable chess piece in Sheridan’s offense. And when you combine that with the earlier departure of Jack Velling, the tight end room suddenly looks a lot thinner than it did just a few weeks ago.
But all is not lost in East Lansing.
The most obvious next man up is Brennan Parachek. He’s been waiting in the wings, and this could be the opportunity he’s been preparing for. Parachek has the size and upside to be a difference-maker - now it’s about putting it all together and seizing the moment.
Jayden Savoury is another name to watch. He’s hinted at a return, and if he does come back, he could immediately step into a larger role. Savoury has shown flashes as a pass-catcher and could be a valuable target in the red zone.
Don’t sleep on some of the younger names in the room either. Wyatt Hook and Kai Rios might not have the same buzz as the top guys, but they’ve been quietly developing, and this kind of roster shake-up often creates opportunities for less-heralded players to emerge.
Looking ahead, Michigan State is also bringing in Eddie Whiting and Joey Caudill as part of the 2026 recruiting class. Both have received strong reviews from scouts and could be long-term answers at the position. But asking true freshmen to step in and contribute right away is always a tall order - especially at a position as nuanced as tight end.
A Tough Loss, But Not the End of the Road
There’s no sugarcoating it: losing Masunas hurts. He was a reliable, all-around tight end who had earned the trust of the coaching staff and was poised to be a cornerstone of the offense next season. But Michigan State has options, and with Wozniak back in the fold, there’s reason to believe the Spartans will figure it out.
This is the new reality of college football. Roster turnover is constant, and programs have to be ready to adapt on the fly. For Michigan State, that means retooling the tight end room and finding a new leader in a group that suddenly has more questions than answers.
The Spartans didn’t expect to be in the market for a new TE1 this winter - but ready or not, that search just became a priority.