Michigan State's pre-portal roster projection: Defensive backfield

1 week ago 2

Michigan State football is gearing up for a roster overhaul, with new head coach Pat Fitzgerald needing to put together his first roster in East Lansing through the transfer portal. With the transfer portal opening on Jan. 2, and only lasting for two weeks, it will be imperative to make a strong and immediate impact.

The first step to shoring up the roster is evaluating the members of MSU's roster that will be retained, while identifying the needs to plug holes in the starting lineup.

Taking a look at the position groups on the Spartans roster, it will distinguish who the team may be pursuing when the portal opens at the turn of the new year.

The last position group to look at is the defensive backfield, which looks to be the position group that is in dire straights heading into the portal window. After the announcement of Aydan West transferring, Michigan State might need transfer adds at every position in the defensive backfield.

Depth Chart Projection:

CB1: Chance Rucker (RS JR) OR transfer
- Backup: Anthony Pinnace (RS JR)
CB2: Transfer
- Backup: Transfer
NB: Transfer
- Backup: NiJay Burt (RS SR) OR Aveon Grose (RS SR)
FS: Transfer
- Backup: Transfer
SS: Transfer
- Backup: Transfer OR Deuce Edwards (RS FR)

Outlook: Words cannot be minced here, the defensive backfield is in absolute shambles. One wild card not listed is Nikai Martinez, who could receive an additional year of eligibility, and it is 50/50 whether or not that would be spent in East Lansing.

At this time Michigan State is pushing the need for eight or more transfers in the defensive backfield that span over all five positions. Be on the lookout for MSU to hit this position group fast, heavy and hard.

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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State's pre-portal roster projection: Defensive backfield

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