Defensive veteran becomes 11th transfer portal departure for MSU Football

Due to injury and suspension, Michigan State was thin along the defensive line for much of the 2022 season. In addition to Pietrowski's injury, the Spartans were also without defensive end Khris Bogle — who transferred to the program from Florida last offseason — for the majority of last season as well.

Pietrowski is the fifth Michigan State defensive lineman to enter the portal since the end of the season, joining tackles Dashaun Mallory and Jalen Hunt, as well as ends Chase Carter and Michael Fletcher. Additionally, defensive line coach Marco Coleman recently left the program to return to his alma mater, Georgia Tech.

Michigan State addressed its needs along the defensive front via some major pickups in both the 2023 recruiting class and the transfer portal.

The Spartans signed four-star EDGE Bai Jobe (No. 82 overall recruit) and four-star defensive lineman Andrew Depaepe (No. 137) and Jalen Thompson (No. 220) from the '23 class. MSU also added three defensive tackles in Tunmise Adeleye (Texas A&M) — the No. 1 DT prospect out of the transfer portal — Dre Butler (Liberty) and Jarrett Jackson (Florida State).

As far as returning players, Michigan State is expected to get back Bogle, defensive linemen Simeon Barrow and Derrick Harmon, and defensive end Zion Young — each of whom started games for the Spartans last season. Veterans Maverick Hansen, Avery Dunn and Brandon Wright will provide depth, and young players like Alex VanSumeren and Penn State transfer Ken Talley will have a chance to move up the depth chart as well.

We'll have a better idea of Michigan State's depth and rotation along the defensive line when spring practice begins.