Michigan State RB Jalen Berger enters the NCAA Transfer Portal

Michigan State running back Jalen Berger has entered the NCAA Transfer Portal, On3 has learned. Berger began his career at Wisconsin and transferred to Michigan State ahead of the 2022 campaign.

This past season, Berger appeared in five games before suffering a season-ending injury. In his limited time on the field, Berger tallied 25 carries for 93 yards and one touchdown. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry.

In his first season with the Spartans in 2022, Berger appeared in all 12 games and collected 148 rushing attempts for 683 yards and six scores. In his two seasons in East Lansing, Berger also amassed 24 receptions for 168 yards.

Before transferring to Michigan State, Berger played a reserve role at Wisconsin. In his two years with the Badgers, Berger notched seven appearances and 84 carries for 389 rushing yards and three TDs.

Jalen Berger played high school football at Don Bosco Prep (NJ), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 141 overall recruit in the 2020 cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Berger is the 28th player from Michigan State to enter the transfer portal. The has also added 12 players, earning the No. 54 spot in On3’s Transfer Portal Team Rankings.

Jonathan Smith excited for fresh start at Michigan State

Along with a new roster, Michigan State will be led by a new head coach this season. On Nov. 25, the program named Jonathan Smith its next head coach. He was previously the head coach at Oregon State for six seasons.

Despite Michigan State’s roster turnover, Smith is thrilled about taking over the program.

“I’ve got confidence in this move,” Smith said. “I cannot overstate the idea of transition of the family all the way over here. I cannot overstate how important and confident I think we are in this thing. We are confident in this thing and it’s so exciting to be here and really get started. This is a big day, you get on stage, you get to be up the press conference to go get to answer some questions with the press, got a basketball game to go to tonight. 

“I’m looking forward to diving into these players and getting to that meeting room and setting plans and really getting started because it’s going to take some work. I think a lot of us in this room understand this is going to take some work and I am definitely excited and up for the challenge and opportunity that’s in front of us.”