Michigan State University’s football and basketball programs are navigating the evolving landscape of collegiate athletics, marked by significant player movements and strategic roster management.
**Football: Navigating the Transfer Portal**
The Spartans football team, under head coach Jonathan Smith, is actively engaging with the transfer portal to reshape its roster following a third consecutive season without a bowl appearance. The team has experienced a notable number of departures, including key players such as wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr., cornerback Charles Brantley, and linebacker Aaron Alexander. In total, 29 players have entered the portal during the 2024-2025 cycle. ([Michigan State Football 2024-2025 Transfer Portal Tracker](https://michiganstate.rivals.com/news/michigan-state-football-2024-2025-transfer-portal-tracker?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
To counterbalance these losses, Michigan State has secured commitments from 22 incoming transfers. Notable additions include running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver from Sacramento State, wide receiver Chrishon McCray from Kent State, and edge rusher Isaac Smith from Texas Tech. These acquisitions aim to address critical gaps and enhance the team’s competitiveness in the upcoming season. ([Michigan State Football 2024-2025 Transfer Portal Tracker](https://michiganstate.rivals.com/news/michigan-state-football-2024-2025-transfer-portal-tracker?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
**Basketball: Tom Izzo’s Steadfast Approach**
In contrast, the men’s basketball program, led by veteran coach Tom Izzo, is maintaining a more traditional approach amidst the dynamic transfer environment. Despite the departures of players like Xavier Booker and Tre Holloman, Izzo emphasizes internal development and loyalty over aggressive portal recruitment. He has expressed concerns about the current transfer system, describing it as lacking transparency and challenging for program stability. ([Tom Izzo breaks down in tears during postgame interview after Michigan State reaches Elite Eight](https://nypost.com/2025/03/29/sports/march-madness-michigan-states-tom-izzo-breaks-down-during-postgame-interview/?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [‘A bad system’: Tom Izzo delivers a harsh truth about the transfer …](https://statenews.com/article/2025/04/a-bad-system-tom-izzo-delivers-a-harsh-truth-about-the-transfer-portal-era?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
Izzo’s strategy focuses on nurturing existing talent, with players like Jeremy Fears Jr. and Coen Carr expected to take on more prominent roles. This approach has yielded success, as evidenced by the team’s recent Elite Eight appearance, showcasing the effectiveness of long-term player development over short-term roster fixes. ([MSU men’s basketball’s offseason outlook: A core in place with gaps …](https://statenews.com/article/2025/04/msu-mens-basketballs-offseason-outlook-a-core-in-place-with-gaps-to-fill?utm_source=chatgpt.com), [College basketball has changed. But Tom Izzo will keep doing it his way.](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/28/michigan-state-basketball-march-madness-tom-izzo/?utm_source=chatgpt.com))
As both programs adapt to the changing collegiate sports landscape, Michigan State’s football team is leveraging the transfer portal to rebuild, while the basketball program remains committed to its foundational principles under Izzo’s guidance.
– [The Washington Post](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/03/28/michigan-state-basketball-march-madness-tom-izzo/?utm_source=chatgpt.com)
