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Wisconsin transfer Semar Melvin joins Michigan State's 2023 recruiting class

On3 imageby: Paul Konyndyk12/15/22PKonyndyk
On3 image

Michigan State added a NCAA transfer portal commitment from Wisconsin cornerback Semar Melvin (5-11, 170, Jr., Ft. Lauderdale, FL, St. Thomas Aquinas) on Wednesday evening. He committed to Michigan State within a week of being on campus for an official visit. Melvin played in 15 games and made two starts during this three-year career at Wisconsin.

Melvin announced his commitment via social media on Wednesday evening.

It is unclear whether he is a scholarship commitment or a preferred walk-on. Two earlier transfer portal commitments to Michigan State will enroll as walk-ons – tight end Jaylan Franklin of Wisconsin and tight end Ademola Faleye of Norfolk state.

Melvin is a player whose collegiate career started with promise. He played in four games as a true freshman and made two starts for the Badgers, finishing with 10 tackles and two pass break-ups. The games in which he played were big ones for Wisconsin in the month of November.

He played in the Big Ten Championship as well as a rivalry game against Minnesota.

As a redshirt freshman in 2020, Melvin appeared to be poised for a spot in the regular rotation at corner if not a starting role. An assortment of injuries, however, prevented him from making an impact as a redshirt freshman. During his second year at Wisconsin, he played in just three games. He did not start for the Badgers.

A hip injury as a sophomore further derailed Melvin’s development as a defensive back. He played in eight games in 2021 as a reserve corner and managed to earn his first letter at Wisconsin. Instead of going into the off-season, however, with experience to build upon, Melvin underwent surgery in early winter, missing bowl practice and spring football.

Melvin was cleared to work out last May, and indicated going into the summer that he had no lingering issues from the hip injury that plagued him on and off throughout the 2021 season. Melvin played in eight games during the 2022 season, finishing with eight tackles.

Melvin totaled 15 tackles in 17 games for the Badgers during his injury-plagued three-year career at Wisconsin.

He signed with Wisconsin as a highly-regarded defensive back prospect at Ft. Lauderdale powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas.

Melvin was a three-star cornerback ranked No. 792 overall, No. 96 in Florida, and No. 74 corner by On3 consensus rankings. Only one of the three major recruiting analysts at the time ranked Melvin in the Top 50 in the state of Florida.

Melvin played high school football for Roger Heriot at St. Thomas Aquinas. Heriot was also the high school coach for former Michigan State standout wide receiver MacGarrett Kings, when he was at the University School in Ft. Lauderdale. Kings signed with Michigan State in the Class of 2012.

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