3 Non-Power Five Transfer Quarterbacks Michigan State Should Target

Jonathan Smith and Michigan State will likely need to add multiple quarterbacks out of the transfer portal this offseason. Here are some under-the-radar options for the Spartans...

Author:
Aedan Mulcrone
Publish date:
Dec 5, 2023 2:06 PM EST

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Michigan State Spartans

Whether we like it or not, transfer portal season is upon us. The unofficial free agency of college athletes has become a new normal. Coaches look to rebuild or strengthen their teams, while players are looking for landing spots to play and develop.

Since the transfer portal became what it is in 2020, Michigan State has been an active participant and will continue to be in the years ahead. New head coach Jonathan Smith was known for adding key transfers at Oregon State and will need to add a lot of them before his first season at Michigan State.

One key position the Spartans need to look for in the portal is quarterback. Michigan State has lost all three of its scholarship quarterbacks from this season to the portal in Noah Kim, Katin Houser and Sam Leavitt. Smith played and has coached quarterbacks for well over a decade and is now tasked with finding the newest signal-caller to lead the Spartans. With MSU’s quarterback room currently empty, it’s likely Smith and his staff will bring in two or even three quarterbacks from the transfer portal.

This article looks at smaller conference transfers that are sure to get interest from Power 5 schools.

Matthew Sluka (Sr.) – Holy Cross

No matter where he ends up, Sluka is a name to get familiar with. The 6-foot-3, 215 pound quarterback is a true dual-threat quarterback leading Holy Cross in passing and rushing each of the last three seasons. He finishes his career with the Crusaders with 9,499 yards from scrimmage and 97 total touchdowns.

Sluka is patient in the passing game, going through his progressions and trusting his wide receivers to get open. He had a 62% completion rate this season. When in doubt, Sluka uses his feet and follows his blockers to pick up yards on the ground. Not only did he lead his team in rushing yards, he averaged 6.7 yards per carry.

Sluka’s numbers are impressive, but the question is can he replicate them at the highest level of college football? Being a graduate transfer he has a year to prove he can lead a Power 5 program, but who is going to take a chance on him? If the Spartans are interested, I believe he could be a fit for the offense Smith wants to run.

Grayson McCall (Sr.) – Coastal Carolina

If you’ve follow college football the past couple of years you have probably heard McCall’s name. The graduate transfer led Coastal Carolina the last four years, winning the Sun Belt East Division twice. The three-time Sun Belt Conference Player of the Year is going to be highly sought after and deservingly so.

McCall finishes his career with the Chanticleers with over 10,000 passing yards, which is best in school history. While he isn’t labeled a dual-threat quarterback, McCall also has over 1,100 rushing yards. What’s most impressive is his 106 career touchdowns, with 88 of them being passing touchdowns.

The Spartans need multiple quarterbacks and need them desperately. McCall may not have Michigan State on his radar but the Spartans should still contact him. Being MSU’s starting quarterback means being a starter in the biggest conference in the country, which is enticing.

Max Brosmer (Sr.) – New Hampshire

Brosmer is an intriguing transfer that may not be as sought after as the other two prospects, but could be an under-the-radar quarterback who breaks out next season. The 6-foot-2, 220 pound pocket passer has a big arm and could flourish at the highest level in the right system.

Brosmer won the starting quarterback job at New Hampshire as a freshman but had his ups and downs. The following season he suffered a knee injury in practice that would lead to surgery, sidelining him the whole 2021 season. However, Brosmer bounced back in a big way the past two seasons, throwing for a combined 6,618 yards and 63 touchdowns in a two-year stretch. He was named first team all-conference this season.

Like Sluka, Brosmer will have the challenge of transitioning to a higher level. So far, he has four total offers and one Power 5 offer from Minnesota but is sure to get more interest. Because he is a pocket passer, Brosmer may not be the fit Michigan State wants but has the potential to pay off massive dividends for any program.

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