As if the uncertainty of the NCAA transfer portal era wasn't already hitting college sports, especially football, Friday night, it reached a new level.
The Michigan State University football team and the University of Michigan have made a virtual trade.
Shortly after losing starting safety Jaden Mangum to the rival Wolverines, the Spartans received a commitment from UM-transfer linebacker Semaj Bridgeman.
The 6-foot-2, 246-pound Philadelphia native has all four years of eligibility remaining after redshirting during the Wolverines' College Football Playoff championship season last fall. Bridgeman was a four-star recruit, No. 300 overall in the nation and No. 23 linebacker in the 2023 class, according to 247Sports Composite Ratings.
Offseason cheat sheet:Want to keep up with the action on the Michigan State football roster?
MSU will play UM on Oct. 26 in Ann Arbor.
Bridgeman is the 24th transfer for new Spartans coach Jonathan Smith since he took over at the end of November, and the 12th transfer since spring practice ended on April 20th. He is the third player in East Lansing to commit to play this fall on Friday, along with safety Nikai Martinez (Central Florida). ) and cornerback Jeremiah Hughes (LSU).
For the Spartans, Bridgeman joins a linebacker room that continues to add depth and talent under new defensive coordinator Joe Rossi.
Jordan Turner (Wisconsin) and Wayne Matthews III (Old Dominion) arrived as transfers in January, and during spring practice, senior stalwart Cal Halladay, rising sophomore Jordan Hall, and veteran Darius Darius Snow joins true freshman early enrollee Brady Pretzlaff. MSU also acquired a commitment from Miami (Fla.)'s Marcellius Pulliam last month, adding to the state's best lines in Orchard Lake St. Mary's Charles “DJ” White and Macomb Dakota's Demari Malone. They have signed contracts for 2025 from two of their backers.
Contact Chris Solari:csolari@freepress.com.follow him @chrysolari.
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