The transfer portal is just as important as recruiting in modern college football, and it’s been even more important for the Spartans under the first few offseasons under new head coach Jonathan Smith.
Michigan State football has leaned on the transfer portal to help build up a winning roster under Smith, and this past year’s portal haul was especially impressive. Fans are hoping that the new faces via the portal will get Michigan State back to a winning season and reach a bowl game again for the first time in three years.
So who were some of the new transfer portal guys that could have an instant impact on the Spartans this upcoming season? Check out five names I believe will have the most impact on Michigan State football in 2025.
Joshua Eaton
Position: Cornerback
Previous Team: Texas State
Eaton comes to Michigan State with a ton of experience after stops at Oklahoma and Texas State. He began his career at Oklahoma where played three seasons before transferring to Texas State for the past two seasons. In total, he has appeared in 43 games with 49 tackles and 13 passes defended.
Eaton is expected to secure one of the two starting cornerback spots for the Spartans this upcoming season, which is always a critical position for success. Expectations are high for Eaton as the highest-rated transfer portal addition for the Spartans this year.
Conner Moore
Position: Offensive Tackle
Previous Team: Montana State
Moore was one of the biggest (if not the biggest) wins of the transfer portal winter session this offseason. Michigan State beat out the likes of Ohio State, Cincinnati and Auburn for the elite FCS transfer portal target.
Moore was a 2024 All-FCS 1st Teamer and 2023 FCS All-Freshmen honoree while at Montana State, and comes to Michigan State with two years of eligibility remaining. He is expected to step in as one of the starting tackles on what should be an improved Michigan State offensive line this upcoming season.
Grady Kelly
Position: Defensive Line
Previous Team: Florida State
Michigan State needed to improve its defensive line through the portal this offseason so it’s an easy decision to include Kelly on this list. He comes to Michigan State after playing last season at Florida State, and before that at Colorado State. Kelly appeared in all 12 of Florida State’s games this past season, where e recorded 19 tackles, with three of those for a loss and one sack.
Kelly should contend for a starting spot on the Spartans’ defensive line, and at a minimum will be part of the key rotation. For Michigan State to experience this upcoming season, an improve defensive line must be in the fold.
Elijah Tau-Tolliver
Position: Running Back
Previous Team: Sacramento State
Michigan State knew they would have to add at least one running back via the portal with the exits of Nate Carter and Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, and they did just that with Tau-Tolliver from Sacramento State. Tau-Tolliver ran for just under 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns with the Hornets this past season, and will surely be in the mix for the Spartans’ starting running back spot this upcoming season.
Michigan State does have a few young running backs on the roster already that will also be in contention for a high-number of carries this upcoming season. So we shouldn’t expect Tau-Tolliver to be a bell-cow type of back this season, but I personally anticipate him being one of the top players in that room this year.
Chrishon McCray
Position: Wide Receiver
Previous Team: Kent State
Michigan State added a number of high-level wide receivers via the portal this offseason, but I went with McCray as my final top impact player due to his versatility. The speedster wide receiver from Kent State should be an instant impact for the Spartans, providing another deep threat but also someone who can play out of the slot as well.
McCray had more than 600 yards in each of his two seasons at Kent State and recorded a total of 13 touchdowns (nine this past year). I won’t necessarily say he’s going to hit those kind of numbers again this year, but I fully expect him to be the perfect No. 2 or No. 3 wide receiver for the Spartans this upcoming season — pairing very nicely with returning top receiver Nick Marsh and fellow transfer Omari Kelly.
Honorable Mention
Here are a few other incoming transfers that you should keep a close eye on this fall as potential high-impact players for the Spartans:
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Top five impactful transfer portal additions for Michigan State football in 2025
Reporting by Robert Bondy, Spartans Wire / Spartans Wire
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