Michigan State lands transfer portal CB Tony Grimes
Michigan State continued the hot streak in the transfer portal on Jan. 7 landing cornerback Tony Grimes, previously of North Carolina and Texas A&M. The former five-star recruit spent the weekend (Jan. 5-7) in East Lansing on an official visit.
Grimes (6-0, 170) signed with North Carolina out of high school where he spent three seasons before transferring to Texas A&M in 2023. He was very productive in his time with the Tar Heels, but suffered a lower body injury and did not see the field in 2023 for the Aggies.
The defensive back was a top transfer portal recruit a year ago, previously playing in every game of the 2021 North Carolina season, and missing just one game in 2022. In his career with the Tar Heels he logged 97 tackles, 74 solo tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack, one interception and one forced fumble.
In addition to Michigan State, Penn State was another school targeting Grimes in the transfer portal as he took an official visit with the Nittany Lions on Jan. 4. Grimes held offers from Alabama, Clemson, Georgia, LSU, and many more out of high school.
As a member of the Class of 2020, Grimes was a five-star recruit, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. He was the No. 1 prospect in North Carolina, the No. 3 cornerback in the class and the No. 19 overall prospect in the class.
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Grimes was joined by four-star transfer portal defensive back Rod Heard, who also spent the weekend in East Lansing on an official visit. Both Heard and Grimes are considered high level prospects that could potentially slot into the starting lineup in 2024, making them must takes for the Spartans.
Michigan State will return starting safeties Malik Spencer and Jaden Mangham, along with starting cornerbacks Dillion Tatum and Chance Rucker for the 2024 season. Experienced cornerback Charles Brantley announced his decision to withdraw from the transfer portal earlier this off-season, as he joins the returning group as well.
The Spartans will also look to less experienced cornerbacks Ade Willie, Caleb Coley and others to provide valuable depth options in 2024. Adding either portal targets to the group would allow for versatility in the group, with multiple players in the secondary capable of playing safety, cornerback and nickel back.
Grimes comes to Michigan State with two years of eligibility remaining.
