Michigan State quarterback Payton Thorne and leading receiver Keon Coleman have decided to enter the transfer portal, per reports.
The Athletic’s Max Olson first reported early Sunday afternoon that Throne was entering the portal, and Michigan State had since confirmed the news to the public.
Michigan State QB Payton Thorne has entered the portal as a grad transfer, @TheAthletic has learned.
Two-year starter who has thrown for almost 6,500 yards and 49 TDs in his career.
— Max Olson (@max_olson) April 30, 2023
247Sports’s Justin Thind first reported Sunday that Coleman had decided to enter the portal. He wrote that this decision happened last week, but Tind might stay due to Thorne’s apparent departure, which adds more intrigue to the situation.
I’m hearing that #MichiganState WR Keon Coleman will enter the transfer portal.
Programs had made overtures at Coleman the last 3 cycles, but MSU squashed those attempts each time – until now.
MSU loses its first bonafide starter in the portal era (VIP): https://t.co/W4Gq4FHuDB
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) April 30, 2023
In any event, losing its QB and top receiver would be a blow to Michigan State. Throne, who will be a grad transfer, has thrown for nearly 6,500 yards and exactly 49 touchdowns over his college career which started in 2019, when he redshirted his first season. Thorne became Michigan State’s starter in 2021, where he threw for 2,886 yards, 24 touchdowns, nine interceptions and completed 60.8 percent of his passes, helping Michigan State to an 11-2 record.
Add Nittany Sports Now as a preferred source in Google! Click here to add us.One of those 11 wins came in the regular-season finale against Penn State. In snowy conditions, Throne went 19-for-30 with 268 yards, two touchdowns and an interception, which was returned for a touchdown by Daequan Hardy.
This past season wasn’t nearly as successful for Michigan State. Throne’s completion percentage went up to 62.5, but his touchdowns went down from 24 to 19 and his interceptions increased from nine to 11. Assuming Thorne leaves Michigan State, his last college game will have been a 35-16 loss at Penn State for the Land Grant Trophy. Sparty finished 5-7 and didn’t make a bowl game.
Coleman led Michigan State in receptions (58), receiving yards (798) and touchdowns (7). Coleman’s numbers eclipsed those of Jayden Reed, who was a second-round draft pick of the Packers this past Friday.
Against Penn State, Coleman caught eight passes for 91 yards and no scores. News of Coleman’s intention to enter the portal comes on the entry deadline non-graduate transfers. Coleman has only two seasons left of college football and has a bright future ahead of him wherever he ends up, whether that’s Michigan State or somewhere else.
Penn State plays Michigan State in East Lansing for its regular-season finale Nov. 25.
