Sunday was a day packed with Michigan State news — notably the key players that will not be returning for the 2023 football season.
Returning starting quarterback Payton Thorne, top wide receiver Keon Coleman and starting cornerback Charles Brantley all entered the transfer portal with intentions of not returning to the Spartans in 2023. Those three each played key roles on the Spartans over the past few seasons and will be notable losses on next year’s squad.
What else happened in the Michigan State sports world? Check out some of the headlines from Spartans sports below:
Top Story: Spartans lose key offensive, defensive contributors to transfer portal
Sunday was the final day for players to enter the transfer portal during the spring time window, and we saw a trio of key Spartans decide to leave the program. That includes returning starting quarterback Payton Thorne, top wide receiver Keon Coleman and starting cornerback Charles Brantley.
Thorne entering the portal comes as a surprise but maybe is an indication of the Spartans plans at quarterback long term. He was in a position battle with Noah Kim and Katin Houser for the starting role this spring, and with Thorne leaving it must mean he didn’t think he’d be winning the battle despite starting all 25 games across the past two seasons.
Coleman and Brantley leaving are notable losses for both the wide receivers and cornerbacks rooms. Coleman is especially a big loss for the Spartans — he was expected to step into the go-to wide receiver role this upcoming season.
Top schools reportedly interested in Thorne, Coleman
It was shortly after the news broke on Thorne and Coleman entering the transfer portal that some potential new homes were reported by 247Sports. Corey Robinson of 247Sports put out that Auburn is a potential landing spot for Thorne, and that USC, LSU, Tennessee and Miami (FL) are four schools to monitor for Coleman.
Click here to read more on Thorne and Coleman’s potential new college football homes
Sparatns react to transfer portal news
The fans didn’t take the portal news well on Sunday, but the players who are remaining with the program took to Twitter to calm the nerves of fans. Darius Snow, Noah Kim and Tre Mosley were just a few of the players who put out statements to reassure fans the Michigan State will be just fine in 2023.
Relax.
— Darius Snow (@realdsnow) April 30, 2023
Spartan nation has a lot to look forward to. Believe it! 💚
— Noah Kim (@noah_kim12) May 1, 2023
The ship goin sail regardless. You’re crazy if you think otherwise
— ™️ ¹ᵏ (@Tremosley_) April 30, 2023
Draymond Green, Warriors advance in NBA Playoffs
Former Michigan State basketball star Draymond Green recorded eight points, six assists and eight rebounds to help the Golden State Warriors beat the Sacremento Kings in Game 7 of the NBA Playoffs first round. With the win, Green and the Warriors will play the Los Angeles Lakers in the second round. That series begins on Tuesday.
Click here to hear what Green had to say after the Game 7 victory over the Kings
MSU baseball beats Northwestern to complete weekend sweep
Michigan State baseball made easy work of Northwestern on Sunday to complete a weekend series sweep of the Wildcats. The Spartans were a perfect 4-0 this week, with a mid-week victory over Notre Dame and three wins over Northwestern this weekend.
The Spartans are 28-13 overall and 10-5 in Big Ten play this season.
VICTORY FOR MSU!!!!
Final score from McLane Stadium at Kobs Field:
Michigan State 9, Northwestern 2High fives and handshakes all around as Spartans sweep the weekend series with the Wildcats!!#VictoryForMSU | #SpartanStrong pic.twitter.com/2uAQgaFn7L
— Michigan State Baseball (@MSUBaseball) April 30, 2023
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