Spartan Nation

BREAKING: Michigan State starting cornerback to enter transfer portal

After a quiet few days, another Michigan State football player has elected to explore the transfer portal...

Matthew Lounsberry

In this story:

It's been a quiet few days on the transfer portal front for Michigan State football, but it appears the Spartans are poised to lose two more players including another potential defensive starter this weekend.

On Friday afternoon, junior cornerback Charles Brantley announced via Twitter that he plans to enter the transfer portal on Saturday "just to open up my options". Hours later, Brantley was joined by fifth-year senior kicker-turned-tight end Evan Morris, who has appeared in 23 games on special teams and at tight end for MSU over the last two seasons.

This will be Brantley's second time exploring options in the transfer portal in his career. The junior entered his name on the final day of the spring window back on April 30, alongside former Spartan quarterback Payton Thorne and wide receiver Keon Coleman. Brantley later withdrew his name to remain at Michigan State, while Thorne transferred to Auburn and Colemen left for Florida State.

Brantley started at cornerback in each of MSU's first three games of the 2023 season, but suffered an injury during Michigan State's 41-7 loss to Washington in East Lansing in Week 3. While Brantley was not listed as 'Out' for the season on any of the Spartan's subsequent mandatory Big Ten availability reports, the junior did not return in any of the final nine games of the year. In limited action, Brantley recorded 10 tackles, including a tackle for loss, and one pass breakup this season.

Despite the injury he sustained in September, Brantley was one of the most experienced players on Michigan State's roster. He appeared in eight games at cornerback for the Spartans during his freshman season in 2021, earning his first start in Week 9 against Purdue. Unfortunately, the then-freshman suffered a season-ending injury against the Boilermakers. Brantley finished his first collegiate season with 18 tackles, four pass breakups and an interception.

As a sophomore in 2022, the 6-foot, 185-pounder started all 11 games he played in missing only the season-finale vs. Penn State due to injury. Brantley led Michigan State in pass breakups with seven, and recorded the only interception by a Spartan defensive back that season, which he returned for a touchdown against Ohio State. Brantley finished the year seventh on the team with 48 tackles, including one QB sack.

Meanwhile, Morris enters the portal seeking a new home for his final season of eligibility. The former walk-on kicking specialist made the transition to tight end ahead of the 2020 season and made appearances primarily on special teams until the 2023 season. This year, Morris played in all 12 games for Michigan State, recording four catches for eight yards.

With the loss of Brantley and Morris, Michigan State is up to 20 players who have entered the transfer portal since season's end. The Spartans have seen all three scholarship quarterbacks — Noah Kim, Katin Houser and Sam Leavitt — enter the portal, as well as five offensive lineman: Spencer Brown, Ethan Boyd, Kevin Wigenton, Geno VanDeMark and Brandon Baldwin. Wide receivers Jaron Glover, Christian Fitzpatick and Tyrell Henry have also entered the portal, alongside defensive end Zion Young, defensive tackle Derrick Harmon and punter Michael O'Shaughnessy.

After being the first Spartan to enter the portal this offseason, redshirt junior linebacker Darius Snow withdrew his name earlier this week while announcing a return to Michigan State.

Four other Spartans entered the portal during the 30-day window which opened to the program after former head coach Mel Tucker was fired — long snapper Hank Pepper, offensive lineman Keyshawn Blackstock, running back Jordon Simmons and defensive back Justin White. Additionally, defensive end Tunmise Adeleye, has left the program and will likely enter the portal on Dec. 4. Cornerback Terry Roberts, who transferred to MSU from Iowa last offseason, left the program before the season began and never played for the Spartans. All transfer portal activity for Michigan State football can be viewed here.

For more coverage of Michigan State Athletics:

Published
Matthew Lounsberry
MATTHEW LOUNSBERRY

Home/Football