Mel Tucker addresses state of transfer portal: 'Nothing surprises me in college football'

Roster retention and the transfer portal in college football continue to be a double-edged sword. Anybody who is anybody can enter the transfer portal; from the kid you’ve never heard of to the Heisman hopeful that could change the course of your favorite program.

In Michigan State‘s case, star wideout Keon Coleman left the program with little notice before committing to Florida State as one of the portal’s hottest commodities at the time. Spartans head coach Mel Tucker was forced to take the blow in stride.

“Nothing surprises me in college football, and with my 10 years in the NFL — I’m used to guys coming and going,” Tucker told Staples on On3’s podcast. “Sometimes, even in the NFL, some guys leave that you don’t necessarily want to leave. Sometimes you get guys that you don’t necessarily want to get. … And you have to really stay neutral and play the cards that were dealt to you.”

Coleman stepped into a bigger role for Michigan State as a sophomore in 2022. In 12 games, Coleman caught 58 passes for 798 yards and seven touchdowns on a struggling Spartans squad. And on tape, he showed the ball-winning traits and top-tier athleticism to project as a true outside receiver in the NFL.

He was poised to be one of the Big Ten’s premier wideouts in 2023 — instead, he took his talents to Florida State to team up with star quarterback Jordan Travis and a heap of other talented returning wide receivers. To Coleman, it was the best move for him as a football player. After all, he’s expected to be one of the first wide receivers selected in next April’s draft.

“They all have aspirations, big dreams of going to the NFL. They want to get there any way that they can,” Tucker said. “If a kid feels like the best thing for them to do is to go somewhere else, then I’m going to support them 100 percent.”

One NFL scout told On3’s Matt Zenitz that Coleman has first-round potential, and now that he’s surrounded by the same type of star power — those expectations should flourish in Tallahassee in 2023.

Still, Tucker and the Spartans will have to look elsewhere for production from their wide receiving corps this coming season. After also losing All-American wideout Jayden Reed to the NFL, someone is going to be forced to step up for MSU. Or, Tucker can dip his hand into the transfer portal in the hopes of finding a similar talent.