Michigan State transfer OL Geno VanDeMark commits to Alabama

Former Michigan State Spartans offensive lineman Geno VanDeMark has committed to join the Alabama Crimson Tide via the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Hayes Fawcett. VanDeMark spent three seasons with the Spartans.

BREAKING: Former Michigan State OL Geno VanDeMark has Committed to Alabama, he tells @on3sports

The 6’5 320 OL will have 2 years of eligibility remaining

Played in 18 games for the Spartanshttps://t.co/oylStFfur9 pic.twitter.com/eNS8tWG85K

— Hayes Fawcett (@Hayesfawcett3) May 11, 2024

In the 2023 campaign, played in eight games, including six starts at right guard. VanDeMark missed four games due to injury. During his redshirt freshman season in 2022, VanDeMark made 10 appearances and two starts.

He played a total of 215 offensive snaps and also appeared on 40 special teams plays. VanDeMark did not play during his true freshman season and opted to redshirt.

Geno VanDeMark played high school football at St. Joseph Regional (NJ), where he was a three-star prospect. He was the No. 473 overall recruit in the 2021 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

To keep up with the latest players on the move, check out On3’s Transfer Portal wire.

The On3 Transfer Portal Instagram account and Twitter account are excellent resources to stay up to date with the latest moves.

Kalen DeBoer: Alabama had to be ‘choosy’ in transfer portal

Kalen DeBoer noted Alabama had to pick and choose in the transfer portal, based on the type of roster he and his staff built.

There were a lot of things in place for DeBoer as he arrived. But still, any coach would want to take a look at the portal, see what’s available and if there’s any chance at an upgrade.

But because of what Alabama had already, DeBoer said the staff had to be “choosy.” 

“I think it’s been really good,” DeBoer said regarding the portal. “Feel like we will improve our roster when it’s all said and done. There weren’t a lot of spots left for us to be able to bring some players in so we had to be real choosy. So as guys have entered, we’ve continued to tweak and adjust our plan. But I think we’re right where we want to be and getting close to finalizing these last couple spots on this team.”

DeBoer previously said not losing as many players as others thought they might was good, even though, at the time, there was still some time to go in the spring window.

“Yeah, I would have hoped that it is what we’re going through right now,” DeBoer said. “Of course, we’ve still got couple weeks left of that. You know, things can change. Guys are still always trying to figure out where they’re at in there career.”

On3’s Grant Grubbs and Nick Kosko contributed to this article.