A second former four-star Michigan State football player has entered the portal within 24 hours.
And the Spartans' defensive line could have suffered an even bigger loss.
Former Detroit Loyola standout Derrick Harmon has entered the transfer portal for the second time since November, a program spokesperson confirmed to the Free Press. Harmon joins fellow starting defensive tackle Simeon Burrow, who also entered the portal last week for the second time since last season.
Freshman defensive lineman Andrew DePaepe also entered the portal to explore a potential transfer, a program spokesperson confirmed. DePaepe did not participate in MSU's final spring practice on Saturday at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing and was not in uniform.
Late Tuesday afternoon, a program spokesperson confirmed that running back Jalen Berger and tight end Jack Nickell have also entered the transfer portal.
Harmon played in all 12 games last season, starting 10, and recorded 40 tackles, including 3.5 stops for a loss, including 1.5 sacks. The 6-foot-5, 230-pound third-year sophomore also had two quarterback hurries, a forced fumble and a pass breakup. The 2021 freshman has two years of eligibility remaining after appearing in four games as a true freshman to preserve his redshirt season. He started five of MSU's 12 games in 2022 and had 30 tackles, including two sacks for a loss.
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In December, Harmon withdrew from the portal to remain at MSU and participated fully in open practices on Saturdays. This leaves sixth-year senior Maverick Hansen as the only returning defensive tackle with experience with the Spartans. Smith added two sixth-year transfers, D'Quan Does (Georgia Tech) and Quindarius Dunnigan (Middle Tennessee).
DePape played 11 defensive snaps last season against Washington, the only game he redshirted as a true freshman. The 6-foot-5, 254-pound native of Bettendorf, Iowa, was rated as the top defensive end in his recruiting class and enrolled in early January 2023. He was 14th on both On3 and Rivals and 17th on 247Sports.com. Ranked 31st on ESPN.
Berger, who started his college career at Wisconsin and transferred to MSU in 2022, had 25 carries for 93 yards and one touchdown in just five games last season. He contributed a bit more in 2022, posting 148 attempts for 683 yards and six TDs.
Nickel, a native of Milton, Georgia, will redshirt in 2022 and appeared in 10 games last season, primarily on special teams.
Three other players entered the portal on Monday. That includes sophomore wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr., a four-star prospect in 2022 from Dearborn Fordson High School. This makes him the 13th player to submit his name for transfer this month and the 17th player to leave the program via the portal in the fall.
Players can return to their original school by withdrawing their name from the portal. MSU returned 10 players in the portal after Smith was hired in late November, including Burrow and Harmon.
Contact Chris Solari:csolari@freepress.com.follow him @chrysolari.
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