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Mel Tucker talks approach to recruiting, transfer portal at Michigan State
By Nick Schultz
Published:
Mel Tucker’s best player at Michigan State this season came from the transfer portal.
In fact, Tucker hit the transfer portal hard after last year’s 2-5 record. He’s known as a strong recruiter, but has definitely turned the portal into one of his biggest strengths on the recruiting trail.
He discussed that in his weekly press conference Monday afternoon.
Tucker 2/2 "It resonates with certain players. … Once the players got here, I think they realized quickly that it wasn't just talk, it wasn't just a recruiting spiel. It's real."
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) October 11, 2021
The second-year coach made a huge splash in the offseason by landing Wake Forest transfer running back Kenneth Walker III, who has become the B1G’s leading rusher in his first season in East Lansing. He also brought in Anthony Russo from Temple, who pushed Payton Thorne throughout Michigan State’s quarterback competition. Throne, obviously, ended up starting.
But Tucker still does well recruiting the “old-fashioned way” — getting players out of high school. His Class of 2022 ranks fourth in the B1G, according to 247Sports.
Let’s also not forget Tucker offered a Class of 2025 prospect. Seriously. He’s relentless.
Nick Schultz is a columnist and breaking news writer for Saturday Tradition. A 2020 graduate of Loyola Chicago, he covered the Ramblers' 2018 Final Four run from beginning to end and has worked at NBC Sports Chicago. Follow Nick on Twitter @NickSchultz_7.