Mel Tucker Publicly Addresses Payton Thorne, Keon Coleman Transfers For First Time
When quarterback Payton Thorne and wide receiver Keon Coleman, two of Michigan State's most well-known players, each entered the transfer portal on April 30, it came as quite the shock to MSU's fanbase and those who cover the program.
But, according to head coach Mel Tucker, none of us should have been surprised.
"I don’t think it’s anything that anyone should be surprised about," Tucker said.
It's been highly speculated that Michigan State had fought off several attempts from various, outside programs to convince Coleman to enter the portal before this latest spring window. But the dam finally broke, and the Spartans' prized wide receiver is off to Florida State to continue his collegiate career.
This is the new reality for college programs across the country. Tampering is rampant, and the promise of better NIL deals, more playing time or better exposure at a premier program are all enticing reasons for players to jump ship and seek alternative options.
Michigan State, under Tucker, has been an active shopper in the transfer portal as well. The Spartans have added 17 players out of the portal so far this offseason, and could add more before they kick off the 2023 season.
“I believe so, yeah," Tucker said, after being asked if Coleman's transfer was a part of the 'new normal' in college athletics in the transfer portal era. "We’ve seen it, right? We’ve seen it. We’ve gotten guys out of the portal, and it’s really common.”
Coleman's departure has left Michigan State with a lot of unknowns in its wide receiver room. Redshirt senior Tre Mosley brings a lot of experience in the slot, but he's the only receiver on the roster who caught more than five passes for the Spartans in 2022. Tucker, however, isn't discouraged by Michigan State's lack of experience at wide receiver. Asked to describe the position group, the head coach offered a short, concise response.
“Young. Talented," he said, with a smile.
The Spartans have a trio of second-year receivers who provide reason for excitement in Tyrell Henry, Antonio Gates Jr. and Jaron Glover. Those youngsters will compete with returning veterans Montorie Foster and Christian Fitzpatrick, as well as incoming Nebraska transfer Alante Brown, for playing time this fall.
"Obviously, Tre is an excellent player," Tucker said. "Glover, Tyrell Henry’s done a great job, Gates is a really good player. We have really good tight ends on our team. Maliq Carr is a really good player. So, we have a lot of weapons in the passing game and they’re only going to get better.”
Of course, Michigan State still has to sort out which of its remaining quarterbacks will be throwing to those targets in 2023. Tucker reiterated that even with Thorne's departure for Auburn, the coaching staff likes where the Spartans stand at the game's most important position.
“We had a really good spring. It was very competitive, and we feel good about our situation," Tucker said. “We just wish Payton the very best of luck. He’s a really good player. A better person. He’s got a really great family and we wish him well.”
The experience gap between Thorne and the remaining quarterbacks competing for the starting job, redshirt junior Noah Kim and true sophomore Katin Houser, is vast. Thorne threw 49 touchdown passes at MSU, the fourth-most in a career in school history. He also ranks in the program's Top 10 in career completion percentage (60.9% - fifth), passing yards (6,494 - sixth) and completions (524 - sixth). Meanwhile, Kim and Houser have combined for just 44 total snaps for Michigan State.
Still, Tucker isn't concerned about the Spartans breaking in a new starter in 2023, one who has yet to play even 50 meaningful snaps of college football.
“That’s the same thing people were saying about Payton a couple seasons ago," Tucker said. "We feel good about our situation. Our guys are very, very competitive. We’re going to play the best players. We’re going to have a good summer and a good camp.”
Thorne was one of Michigan State's vocal leaders in 2022. Coleman was only in his second season with the Spartans, but took on more leadership responsibilities behind Jayden Reed in the receiver room as well. That's another aspect that the Spartans need to replace with those two guys no longer in East Lansing, but Tucker likes the progress that is being made there as well.
“Leadership is always important, and I think that’s one of the more difficult, more challenging things to develop on your team," the head coach said. "Leaders, and having a player-led team as opposed to just a coach-led team. So, that’s something that we work very hard at in the ‘out of season’ and during the season. But, we’ve come a long way in a short period of time in that regard and I feel like we’ll have the right type of leadership on our team. I just think we’ve got a really good group of guys. I’m really excited about it.”
Tucker has heard the noise coming from the detractors outside Michigan State's program, and even a portion on the Spartans' own fanbase, who have expressed doubt about this team heading into 2023. But, the head coach has confidence that MSU has better depth and competition at more positions than at any previous point in Tucker's tenure.
“Some of the players in those positions our fans don’t know about yet," he said. "But, I think throughout camp and as the season starts, I think you’ll start to recognize that we have more players than maybe what people think that we have."
