The five best transfers in Michigan State football history
The five best transfers in Michigan State football history
The transfer portal has become synonymous with college sports these days, with schools starting to look at the portal like free agency, almost. It's become imperative to be able to find high-level talent in the portal.
Michigan State football hasn't had a ton of high-profile transfers, but the ones who have hit, have hit well. We put together our list of the top five transfers in school history below, and interestingly, three of them, and both honorable mentions, transferred to MSU before the quote-unquote transfer portal era truly began.
Honorable Mentions
Keith Nichol
Keith Nichol might not have put up the biggest numbers in the world, but the former Oklahoma quarterback recruit was responsible for some of the biggest plays in MSU history and earns a mention on this list.
DeAndra' Cobb
DeAndra' Cobb made the All-American team for his spectacular kick return skills, of which he returned four kickoffs for touchdowns in his career, one shy of the Big Ten record. He still holds the MSU record for three kickoff returns for touchdowns in one season.
5. Jonathan Kim
You probably didn't think you'd see a special teams player on this, huh? Well, Jonathan Kim won't be the last, but he is the first we'll talk about. Jonathan Kim was a major success story for Michigan State. Coming in and setting a school record and making the All-Big Ten team was very impressive for a kicker who was largely resigned to kickoffs at North Carolina, and he earned himself this spot.
4. Domata Peko
Domata Peko was playing NFL football as recently as 2020. That's pretty insane considering he was a John L. Smith recruit, transferring in from the College of the Canyons. Peko was a beloved Spartan and sneakily one of the better MSU alumni in the NFL in recent history.
3. Bryce Baringer
Now, we get to the second special teams player on our list, and it's a doozy. Bryce Baringer isn't just a good punter, he is the best punter in school history, which is saying something, because MSU has had some great ones over the years. I almost forgot that he started his career at Illinois, but thankfully, he made his way up to East Lansing, and the rest is history.
2. Jayden Reed
Before Jayden Reed became one of the most exciting players in the NFL, he started his career, believe it or not, at Western Michigan. His transfer to MSU was one of the last great acts from legendary MSU coach Mark Dantonio. Reed made two All-Big Ten teams before heading to the next level.
1. Kenneth Walker III
Was there ever a doubt who was number one on this list? Kenneth Walker III isn't just the best transfer in MSU history, he is one of the best transfers in modern NCAA football history. Disgruntled Michigan State fans will still tell you that the man they called K9 should have been the Heisman Trophy winner that year, and if he wasn't banged up by the time the Spartans played Ohio State, who knows what could have happened that year. It's one of the great what-ifs in MSU history.
Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan state news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Andrew Brewster on Twitter @IAmBrewster.
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