Michigan State’s last remaining scholarship QB among latest to enter portal

Jonathan Smith’s introductory press conference as Michigan State’s new coach was Tuesday afternoon at the Breslin Center in East Lansing.

While he was pitching a vision for the future of Spartan football, more players on the roster he inherited indicated their intention to look elsewhere.

Quarterback Noah Kim and wide receiver Christian Fitzpatrick entered the portal on Tuesday as graduate transfers while offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark and receivers Tyrell Henry and Jaron Glover declared their intent to do so via social media posts.

Graduate transfers can enter the portal at any time while others must wait until the next window opens and that 30-day period starts Dec. 4. Those who enter the portal don’t have to transfer but putting their name in allows them to contact coaches from other schools.

The latest news comes after a busy day of roster moves on Monday. Starting right tackle Spencer Brown and linebacker Darius Snow both put their names in the portal as graduate transfers while redshirt freshman quarterback Katin Houser, true freshman quarterback Sam Leavitt, redshirt sophomore offensive tackle Ethan Boyd and redshirt sophomore guard Kevin Wigenton declared they would do so when the portal opens.

With Kim in the portal, Michigan State is positioned to have zero scholarship quarterbacks with the team after the it officially opens next week. During Tuesday’s press conference, Smith said he understood players exploring their options and he plans on continuing to meet with them moving forward.

After two-year starter Payton Thorne transferred to Auburn following spring practice, Kim, a Virginia native and former three-star recruit, beat out Houser and Leavitt for the job in fall camp. The redshirt junior started the first six games but struggled protecting the ball.

Kim, 6-foot-2 and 185 pounds, completed 56.8 percent of his passes (91-for-160) for 1,090 yards, six touchdowns and six interceptions while starting the first five games before being benched for Houser. He didn’t appear in another game while dealing with what interim coach Harlon Barnett said was an injury. Kim was in street clothes on the sideline at Ford Field when Michigan State lost 42-0 to Penn State last week to finish the season 4-8.

Houser posted a 2-5 record while starting the final seven games. With Leavitt sitting out the last three weeks to retain a redshirt for the year, Houser was the only scholarship quarterback available and walk-on Andrew Schorfhaar made two appearances.

Fitzpatrick, 6-4 and 220 pounds, spent his true freshman season at Louisville before transferring to join the Spartans in 2021. He had two catches his first year in East Lansing and a sports hernia cut short his 2022 season. Fitzpatrick posted 18 receptions for 252 yards and one touchdown while appearing in all 12 games this fall.

Henry, 6-0 and 175 pounds, made an impact on special teams as a true freshman last year before taking over a larger role in the offense this season. He had 24 catches for 195 yards and three touchdowns in 12 games and also returned punts and kicks.

Glover, 6-1 and 205 pounds, appeared in one game as true freshman last year to maintain a redshirt for the season. He had 14 receptions for 261 yards in eight games this season as a part-time starter and was out the final three games.

VanDeMark, 6-5 and 320 pounds, didn’t play while taking a redshirt as a true freshman in 2021 and made two starts in 10 games last year. He opened this season as the starting right guard but dealt with injuries and made six starts in eight games.