Michigan State lands former Arizona State CB Ed Woods via transfer portal

East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State has earned a commitment from transfer portal cornerback Ed Woods, per On3 national reporter Pete Nakos. The former Arizona State product committed to the Spartans on Tuesday. A redshirt senior, Woods has one season of eligibility remaining. 

Woods was the No. 178 player and No. 26 cornerback in the transfer portal, per the On3 Industry Rankings.

Woods (6-0, 175) arrived in East Lansing Sunday night for a visit, which lasted through Monday. He spent Friday through Sunday at Alabama. In addition to those visits, Woods received serious interest from Missouri and Kentucky.

Ultimately, Woods’ relationship with Michigan State cornerbacks coach Demetrice Martin – who recruited Woods during his time at Arizona – helped the Spartans win out over the Crimson Tide.

“I’m going to be honest, I like Michigan State because of the relationships I have with most of these coaches,” Woods told Nakos on Monday. “I feel like I’m at home. They understand where I come from, and coach Meat is one of the best in the nation.”

Woods was projected to start at Arizona State this fall. He participated in 13 of Arizona State’s 15 scheduled spring practices before entering the transfer portal last week, per the Arizona Republic, which ran the following quote from Sun Devil head coach Kenny Dillingham, who went 3-9 during his first season in Tempe:

“Ed’s a good player … I have a lot of respect for Ed. I really want Ed to succeed in life. If he’s not here, that is a loss for us.”

Woods received higher pass-coverage grades last season than any current Michigan State defensive back, according to Pro Football Focus. He graded out at 77.9 in pass coverage in 2023. Those numbers are considered “above-average” in PFF’s grading scale.

Woods started six of his 11 games played last season. He totaled 33 tackles, four pass breakups, three tackles for loss, two forced fumbles and an interception last year.

Woods started seven games for the Sun Devils in 2022. He logged 28 tackles, six pass breakups, two tackles for loss, one sack and one forced fumble that season. 

Woods totaled 66 career tackles and three forced fumbles in four seasons at Arizona State. He played cornerback and safety during his time with the Sun Devils. 

A former three-star recruit out of Oakland (Calif.) McClymonds High School, Woods was the No. 965 prospect in the 2020 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He was also the No. 88 cornerback and No. 87 player from California in his class. 

He committed to Arizona State over offers from USC, Arizona, Washington State and Tulane, among others. 

The Oakland, Calif., native fills a need at cornerback for Michigan State. The Spartans lost cornerbacks Marqui Lowery and Eddie Pleasant to the transfer portal earlier this spring. 

Woods joins a Michigan State cornerback room that returns two starters in Chance Rucker and Charles Brantley. Ade Willie also received extended reps at corner this spring. Caleb Coley and Khary Crump are set to provide further depth at the position, while true freshmen Andrew Brinson, Justin Denson and Keshawn Williams all received valuable experience this spring.

Woods is expected to compete for a starting job at corner for Michigan State. Rucker made an impact as a freshman starter last season and is also expected to compete for a starting job. Brantley has played a lot of games for the Spartans, but has also had a history of injuries.

Woods becomes the fourth player to commit to Michigan State through the portal this spring. He joins former UMass running back Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams, former Stephen F. Austin defensive tackle Brandon Lane and former Indiana defensive end Anthony Jones.