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PORTAL UPDATE: Transfer tight end Mason Mini flips commitment from Michigan State to California

On3 imageby:Jake Lyskawa•01/08/25•

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Idaho Vandals and former Michigan State tight end commit Mason Mini (86) blocking during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium - Craig Strobeck, USA TODAY Sports
Idaho Vandals and former Michigan State tight end commit Mason Mini (86) blocking during the fourth quarter against the Oregon Ducks at Autzen Stadium - Craig Strobeck, USA TODAY Sports

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Former Idaho tight end Mason Mini has flipped his commitment from Michigan State to California, according to a report from On3’s Steve Wiltfong.

Mini (6-5, 240) initially committed to Michigan State on Monday. He visited Michigan State, New Mexico, Wake Forest and Boston College during his stay in the portal, which began on Dec. 16, 2024 – two days after former Idaho head coach Jason Eck left for New Mexico.

Mini, a rising redshirt sophomore, also received portal offers from UNLV, Tulane and Washington State, among others.

The Pacifica, Calif., native appeared in 15 games over the course of two seasons at Idaho. He caught five passes for 61 yards during the 2024 campaign.

Mini played quarterback and tight end at Pacifica (Calif.) Terra Nova High School, where he graduated from in 2023. He was the No. 1,639 player and No. 90 tight end in the transfer portal, per the On3 Industry Transfer Portal Rankings.

Michigan State tight ends coach Brian Wozniak has shown interest in younger tight ends this portal cycle. Aside from Mini, the Spartans reached out to former Wake Forest tight end Luca Puccinelli (who committed to Purdue) and former South Carolina tight end Connor Cox (who committed to North Carolina). All three had at least two seasons of eligibility remaining.

It appears Wozniak will now head back to the drawing board in search of another transfer tight end who fits that mold.

As it stands, Michigan State will return Jack Velling, Michael Masunas, Brennan Parachek and Wyatt Hook to its tight end room next season. The Spartans also signed three-star Orchard Lake (Mich.) St. Mary’s tight end Jayden Savoury in December.

The only expected departure from last season’s tight end room comes by way of graduating senior Tyneil Hopper.

Michigan State now holds 14 transfer commitments:

  • WR Omari Kelly, Jr. (Middle Tennessee)
  • OL Luka Vincic, R-Soph. (Oregon State)
  • WR Crishon McCray, R-Soph. (Kent State)
  • CB Joshua Eaton R-Sr. (Texas State)
  • RB Elijah Tau-Tolliver, R-Jr. (Sacramento State)
  • OL Caleb Carter, R-Jr. (Western Carolina)
  • DT Grady Kelly, R-Jr. (Florida State)
  • CB NiJhay Burt, Jr. (Eastern Illinois)
  • OL Matt Gulbin, R-Jr. (Wake Forest)
  • CB Malcolm Bell, R-Jr. (UConn)
  • EDGE Anelu Lafaele, Fr. (Wisconsin)
  • EDGE David Santiago, R-Fr. (Air Force)
  • WR Evan Boyd, R-Fr. (Central Michigan)
  • LB Aisea Moa, R-Soph. (BYU)

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