Michigan State football is gearing up for a roster overhaul, with new head coach Pat Fitzgerald needing to put together his first roster in East Lansing through the transfer portal. With the transfer portal opening on Jan. 2, and only lasting for two weeks, it will be imperative to make a strong and immediate impact.
The first step to shoring up the roster is evaluating the members of MSU's roster that will be retained, while identifying the needs to plug holes in the starting lineup.
Taking a look at the position groups on the Spartans roster, it will distinguish who the team may be pursuing when the portal opens at the turn of the new year.
All of the offense has been covered, including quarterback, running back, wide receiver and tight end, meaning all that is left is the offensive line. Michigan State's offensive line play has not been up to the level it needs to be lately, and if Fitzgerald wants a strong first season, this group needs to be enhanced.
It is still unclear if the Spartans will have any more offensive line defections to the portal, which could complicate this process.
Depth Chart Projection:
- LT - Starter: Stanton Ramil (RS JR) OR Rustin Young (RS Soph) OR transfer
- Backup: Two of the above three
- LG - Starter: Rakeem Johnson (RS Soph) OR transfer
- Backup: Andrew Dennis (RS Soph) OR Charlton Luniewski (RS Soph)
- C - Starter: Transfer OR Rakeem Johnson (RS Soph)
- Backup: Cole Dellinger (RS JR)
- RG - Starter: Luka Vincic (RS SR) OR Kris Phillips (RS SR)
- Backup: Mercer Luniewski (RS Soph) OR Drew Nichols (FR)
- RT - Starter: Conner Moore (RS SR)
- Backup: Payton Stewart (RS Soph)
Outlook: Obviously, this has some bare bones projections to it, because it is hard to believe that MSU will only get one or two starters out of the portal. That number could grow to as big as three, with some depth adds. Michigan State will attempt to keep some key pieces in this group, including Moore, Johnson, Ramil and Young, but nothing is completely certain at this time.
Depending on who MSU retains, and who the new staff believes is capable of stepping into a big role in 2026, the portal strategy on the offensive line will be dictated by that sentiment. What is known, there will be key additions to this group.
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This article originally appeared on Spartans Wire: Michigan State's pre-portal roster projection: Offensive line