East Lansing — The high point of Charles Brantley’s career, and with it the past eight seasons for Michigan State, remains his one-handed pick as a freshman that sealed 2021’s rivalry game win over Michigan.
Five years later — after two coaching changes, injury woes, a transfer last season to Miami (Fla.), and all the other attrition he has faced since he made a name for himself — Brantley is back for his final year at Michigan State. Defensive coordinator Joe Rossi is expecting a lot out of the standout cornerback.
“I’m hoping to get his best year,” Rossi said Monday after the fourth practice of Michigan State’s fall camp.
Brantley, 23, has appeared in 34 career games (24 starts) over the past five seasons with 104 tackles, 23 passes defended and five interceptions. He made his biggest mark in that freshman year win over Michigan, but he also set a school record with a 100-yard pick-six against Prairie View A&M in 2024.
Transferring out last winter and entering what he thought would be his final season, Brantley appeared in just three games for the Hurricanes in 2025, logging 31 snaps and making one tackle. After entering the portal, Brantley rejoined Michigan State, where he was one of the biggest offseason adds for Rossi and new head coach Pat Fitzgerald, who took over after a 4-8 season led to the firing of Jonathan Smith.
Rossi listed Brantley as one of his smartest football players on the defensive side. He is also among the most experienced, especially at the Power Four level.
“Chuck is a really good football player,” Rossi said. “Chuck and I, I’ve always felt kind of had a cool relationship, and I like him a lot as a football player, and I think Spartan Nation does too because of how he plays, right? But I also like him as a person, and he’s had a lot of personal growth since I first met him, from the first time I met him till now, and I’m proud of him, so I want him to get back.”
Brantley has been limited in practice since the spring, but Rossi expects that to change shortly.
“He’s working, and he’s practicing,” Rossi said. “They’ll be taking the the restrictors off here in a little bit. But he’s going. He’s good, and I’m excited. And I want him to have a fricking great year for him, because like I said, I love the kid.”
In the meantime, teammates say that Brantley has been a big part in bringing along the cornerbacks, multiple of whom are new to the program including transfers Tyran Chappell (Houston Christian) and Tre Bell (Iowa State).
“Chuck’s been a great leader,” Bell said. “Obviously, he’s really successful here, so I’m trying to learn from him as well. So having those things where we can learn from each other, it just brings the group along faster.”
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This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: MSU football hopes to get ‘best year’ out of Charles Brantley
Reporting by Connor Earegood, The Detroit News / The Detroit News
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By Connor Earegood, The Detroit News | USA TODAY Network
