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Former 5-Star Cornerback Flips Commitment From Michigan State

Originally posted on FanNation Spartan Nation
By Matthew Lounsberry | Last updated 1/15/24

As crazy as high school recruiting has become (and always has been), it pales in comparison to recruiting out of the transfer portal.

Michigan State and head coach Jonathan Smith were hit with another example of just that in their recruitment of former 5-star and transfer portal cornerback Tony Grimes, who flipped his commitment from the Spartans to UNLV over the weekend.

Grimes began his career at North Carolina where he starred as a three-year starter for the Tar Heels. The 6-foot, 190-pounder then transferred to Texas A&M ahead of the 2023 season, but suffered an injury during the Aggies training camp which sidelined him for the entirety of this past season. Grimes visited East Lansing on Jan. 6, committed to Michigan State on Jan. 11 but flipped to UNLV days later after an apparent admissions issue with MSU.

During his three seasons in Chapel Hill, Grimes was a stalwart in UNC's secondary, recording 97 tackles, including 3.5 tackles for loss and a sack. He added 20 pass breakups, an interception and a forced fumble in his 37 games played at North Carolina.

Michigan State's secondary struggled mightily throughout former head coach Mel Tucker's tenure, though the Spartans have added promising defensive back talent to their roster over the last several recruiting cycles. Sophomore Dillon Tatum got nearly a full season of experience as a starting cornerback in 2023, as did freshman Chance Rucker, who replaced Charles Brantley as a starter following Brantley's season-ending injury in Week 3 against Washington. After exploring options in the transfer portal this offseason, Brantley ultimately decided to withdraw his name and return to MSU for his senior season in 2024.

Rising redshirt sophomore Caleb Coley is expected to push for playing time next season, as could rising redshirt freshman Eddie Pleasant. Sophomore Ade Willie got some in-game experience for the Spartans in 2023 as well. Smith and his staff will continue to explore the transfer portal for help at defensive back this winter and spring, which will give the staff more time to develop the young secondary talent already on the roster without putting those young guys in a tough spot in 2024.

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