Michigan State had largely avoided major losses in the transfer portal during the first five days of the spring window — that is, until Monday.
That’s when veteran defensive back Dillon Tatum revealed on social media that he plans to enter the portal.
He wrote posted the following message:
“FIRST AND FOREMOST, I’D LIKE TO THANK GOD FOR ALLOWING ME TO PLAY THE GAME I LOVE. I WOULD LIKE TO THANK COACH [MEL] TUCKER AND STAFF FOR RECRUITING ME TO THE SCHOOL I’VE ALWAYS DREAMT OF PLAYING AT.
“I’D LIKE TO THANK COACH [JONATHAN] SMITH FOR KEEPING ME HERE THROUGH THE STAFF TRANSITION. SPECIAL THANKS TO THE ATHLETIC TRAINING AND STRENGTH STAFF FOR BELIEVING IN ME THROUGH AND THROUGH.
“THANK YOU TO THE MSU COMMUNITY AND TEAMMATES FOR BEING SUCH A SPECIAL PART IN MY CAREER. WITH THAT BEING SAID I’LL BE ENTERING THE TRANSFER PORTAL AS A GRAD TRANSFER WITH 2 YEARS OF ELIGIBILITY REMAINING.
“THANK YOU AND GO GREEN.
“DILLON TATUM”
Tatum had suffered a season-ending lower-body injury in Michigan State’s opening game of the 2024 season but made his return during spring practices.
“It was tough to lose him, especially that early,” defensive coordinator Joe Rossi said earlier this month. “We had to go the whole year without him, but he’s recovered well and is back out there doing what he needs to do. He brings versatility — he’s strong against the run, a solid blitzer, and has great speed. We were excited to have him back and around the team.”
However, the Spartans won’t be reaping those benefits after all. With Tatum now entering the portal, Michigan State’s already pressing need to add help in the secondary becomes even more urgent — something Coach Smith had identified as a key focus for the spring.
Tatum was a major get for the Spartans when he committed in 2021. A four-star prospect from West Bloomfield, he was rated the No. 5 player in Michigan’s 2022 class, according to the 247Sports Composite.
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