Michigan State CB Eddie Pleasant enters transfer portal
Michigan State sophomore defensive back Eddie Pleasant has entered the transfer portal, On3’s Pete Nakos confirmed on Wednesday. Pleasant spent one season in East Lansing. The 6-foot, 177-pound cornerback had yet to see the field as a Spartan, as he redshirted in 2023.
Pleasant was a three-star recruit out of high school, graduating from Carrollwood Day School in Tampa, Fla. He held additional offers from Florida State – which made a late attempt to flip the cornerback from the previous Spartan staff – Penn State and Tennessee, among others.
The Spartans have also seen departures from redshirt sophomore offensive lineman Braden Miller, redshirt freshman running back Jaelon Barbarin and junior linebacker Ma’a Gaoteote so far during the spring transfer window. The spring transfer window runs from April 16 to April 30.
Michigan State will be in the market for new additions via the portal as well. Wide receiver, offensive line, defensive line and running back are positions to watch. Cornerback is also a position to watch, as Pleasant’s departure created another opening in the defensive backfield.
The Spartans were in pursuit of a cornerback during the winter transfer portal window. They almost signed former North Carolina and Texas A&M cornerback Tony Grimes before that eventually fell through due to an academic holdup. Michigan State will continue their pursuit in the portal this spring.
Cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin will return sophomore cornerback Chance Rucker in 2024, as he gained valuable starting experience as a true freshman in 2023. Veteran Dillon Tatum has experience at the cornerback position, but has moved around the defensive backfield this spring. Senior Marqui Lowery will also return in 2024, with experience at corner. Youngsters Caleb Coley, Ade Willie and Jaylen Thompson, among others, are also working to crack the group.
