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Versatile sophomore no longer with Michigan State
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Michigan State’s defense took yet another hit on Friday.
Sophomore defensive back/receiver Kaleel Gaines is no longer with the program, MSU confirmed to MLive.com.
That news came to light after @JucoFootballAce tweeted that Gaines was leaving the Spartans to enroll at Arizona Western Community College.
#Transfer Kaleel Gaines @leely_football 4merly @MSU_Football set to transfer to Arizona Western JuCo @AWCMatadors @tcminnick11 pic.twitter.com/Mze7tbsJy6
— JuCo Football Forer (@JuCoFootballACE) June 2, 2017
Gaines has three years of eligibility left after redshirting as a true freshman and playing in one game as a redshirt freshman in 2016.
There was hope, however, that Gaines would fill a versatile role for the Spartans in the future. He played both ways in the spring game as a cornerback and receiver, and Mark Dantonio praised his versatility.
It’s unknown what led to the departure of the former three-star recruit. But for a defensive unit that lost a lot this offseason, it’s another frustrating development.
The Spartans have to replace the likes of Malik McDowell, Riley Bullough, Montae Nicholson, Jon Reschke, Demetrious Cox and more.
Connor O'Gara is the senior national columnist for Saturday Tradition. He's a member of the Football Writers Association of America. After spending his entire life living in B1G country, he moved to the South in 2015.