PORTAL UPDATE: Michigan State lands former Texas State CB Joshua Eaton
Michigan State added another transfer portal commitment Monday evening in former Texas State cornerback Joshua Eaton. The Houston native announced his commitment via social media. He has one season of eligibility remaining.
Eaton began his career at Oklahoma, where he played three seasons. He just wrapped up his fifth collegiate season and his second at Texas State, where he played with former Michigan State defensive lineman Tunmise Adeleye.
Eaton (6-2, 190) had 22 tackles (four assisted) one sack and two pass break-ups as a redshirt senior this fall, per Pro Football Focus.
The cornerback arrived in East Lansing for an official visit on Sunday and departed on Monday. He was slated to take an additional visit to Tulane on Saturday. Eaton announced other offers from Illinois, Oregon State and Temple, among others.
Eaton is a three-star transfer prospect, per the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings. He was the No. 638 player in the portal and the No. 71 cornerback.
A four-star high school recruit out of Houston (Texas) Aldine MacArthur High School, Eaton was the No. 334 recruit in the 2020 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He also checked in as the No. 28 cornerback and the No. 46 recruit from Texas in his class.
Eaton helps shore up depth in Michigan State’s cornerback room, which lost Charles Brantley to the portal earlier this month. The Spartans are also set to lose graduating senior Ed Woods at the position. However, Chance Rucker, Caleb Coley, Ade Willie, Jeremiah Hughes, Lejond Cavazos, Andrew Brinson and Keshawn Williams all have the option to return.
They also signed three class of 2025 cornerbacks in three-stars Aydan West, George Mullins and Terrance Edwards.
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The Spartans will remain active in the cornerback market. Michigan State is currently playing host to former Arkansas State cornerback Dontay Joyner on Monday.
Eaton represents Michigan State’s second portal pickup of Monday evening, joining former Kent State wide receiver Crishon McCray.
RELATED: Michigan State lands former Kent State WR Chrishon McCray via transfer portal
PFF: By the numbers
Eaton earned a 60.9 overall defensive grade from Pro Football Focus this fall, an “average” grade on the PFF scale. His 60.9 grade would have ranked 11th among Michigan State defenders with at least 200 snaps in 2024, just behind cornerback Ed Woods (64.8) and ahead of safety Malik Spencer (56.7).
Eaton earned a 55.6 tackling grade (“below average” on the PFF scale). His 55.6 tackling grade would have ranked 17th among Michigan State defenders with at least 200 snaps, just ahead of cornerback Charles Brantley (53.1) and behind linebacker Cal Haladay (57.4).
Eaton also earned a 61.1 grade in pass coverage (“average” on the PFF scale). His 61.1 pass coverage grade would have ranked fifth among Michigan State defensive backs with at least 160 snaps, just behind safety Jaylen Thompson (62.6) and ahead of Spencer (51.7).
