JUST IN: Oregon key man enter transfer portal

In less than a fortnight following Michigan State’s loss of a defensive tackle to Oregon, they gained one in return. Ben Roberts, a redshirt sophomore formerly with the Ducks, revealed his transfer commitment to the Spartans on social media Wednesday. This acquisition comes after the departure of Derrick Harmon, a starting tackle for two years, who transferred from Michigan State to Oregon earlier this month.

Standing at 6 feet 2 inches and weighing 310 pounds, Roberts, affectionately known as “Big Worm,” recorded five tackles in nine games across two seasons with the Ducks before entering the transfer portal on May 1. Hailing from Salt Lake City, Roberts was a highly regarded four-star recruit who initially signed with Oregon. In his freshman year, he tallied three tackles in four games while preserving a redshirt. Last season, he made two stops in five games, accumulating a total of 82 defensive snaps during his tenure with the Ducks. He still has three years of eligibility remaining.

Notably, Demetrice Martin, now coaching cornerbacks for Michigan State, spent the previous two seasons with the Ducks. The upcoming clash between Michigan State and Oregon on October 5 marks their first encounter as fellow members of the Big Ten conference.

Michigan State recently concluded its spring practice under the guidance of first-year coach Jonathan Smith on April 20, during which the roster underwent significant changes, particularly in the defensive tackle position. Alongside Harmon’s departure to Oregon, Simeon Barrow, a three-year starting tackle, opted to transfer to Miami. These departures, among others, include seventeen scholarship players from the spring roster entering the transfer portal.

With these exits, sixth-year senior Maverick Hansen emerges as the most seasoned returning tackle on the team. Additionally, D’Quan Douse, a graduate transfer from Georgia Tech, joined the Spartans’ ranks during the winter. In the spring, Michigan State bolstered its squad with nine transfers, including defensive tackle Ru’Quan Buckley from Nebraska.