BREAKING: Michigan State quarterback intends to enter transfer portal
Michigan State will look much different in 2024 under newly-hired head coach Jonathan Smith, and that likely including the Spartans' starting quarterback.
On Monday, ESPN's Pete Thamel reported that Michigan State redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser, who started the final seven games for MSU this past season, intends to enter the transfer portal when the fall window opens on Dec. 4.
— Katin Houser (@katinhouser) November 27, 2023
"I want to start by thanking my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Without him, I could not have made it this far in my football journey," Houser wrote in a social media post. "To my family, thank you for all your unconditional love and support. I also would like to thank the Michigan State coaches and the awesom fanbase for giving me an opportunity to play for the Green and White. Lastly, I would like to thank my teammates for having my back and being my brothers for the past two years.
"With that being said, I would like to announce that I intend to enter the transfer portal with 3 years of eligibility left. Thank you to everyone for their support and understanding of my decision."
After appearing in one game and taking a redshirt season in 2022, Houser was the Spartans' backup quarterback to starter Noah Kim through the first five games of the 2023 season. Following a bye, Houser made his first career start in Week 7 against Rutgers. In his seven starts, the redshirt freshman threw for 1,132 passing yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions while completing 112-of-191 pass attempts (59%).
Should Houser follow through on his intent to leave Michigan State, he would have three years of eligibility remaining at his new school. The Spartans, meanwhile, would be left with only two scholarship quarterbacks on their roster (as of Nov. 27, 2023). Kim will be a redshirt senior in 2024, while former four-star recruit Sam Leavitt will be a redshirt freshman.
Coming from Oregon State, it's possible that Smith could bring one of his young quarterbacks with him to East Lansing. Freshman Aidan Chiles, another former four-star recruit, was the crown jewel of Smith's last recruiting class in Corvalis and could join his former head coach at MSU.
Just three days after Michigan State's regular season-finale against Penn State, and two days after Smith was hired, three Spartan players have already chosen to leave the program. In addition to Houser, linebacker Darius Snow and starting offensive tackle Spencer Brown have both entered the portal as graduate transfers.
"Spartan Nation. East Lansing will always be home!," Brown wrote in his post. "I appreciate everybody who helped me become the man I am today since I arrived on campus. I want to thank Coach D [Mark Dantonio] for making my dreams come true! Thank you to the coached, support staff and my teammates for giving me a once in a lifetime experience! I have no regrets! Lastly, I want to thank the fans; you will always have a special place in my heart!"
During his five-year career at Michigan State, Brown appeared in 32 games and was a starter in 23 of those appearances. The redshirt senior started all 12 games at right tackle for the Spartans in 2022. He played in all 12 games for MSU this past season, making eight starts at right tackle and two starts at left tackle.
Houser, Brown and Snow are the program's first departees since the 30-day window after Mel Tucker’s firing closed on Oct. 27. Under interim coach Harlon Barnett, MSU had four players enter the portal — long snapper Hank Pepper, offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock, running back Jordon Simmons and defensive back Justin White. Another, defensive end Tunmise Adeleye, has left the program and will likely enter the portal on Dec. 4.
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