Mel Tucker took a lot of heat after Keon Coleman departed Michigan State to enter the transfer portal. On Monday, Tucker was asked for his thoughts on Coleman’s Florida State debut.

In the only Week 1 battle of ranked teams, FSU defeated then-No. 5 LSU 45-24. Coleman produced quite the highlight reel in garnet and gold, recording 9 catches for 122 yards and 3 touchdowns. Tucker said he’s happy for his former wideout.

“I’m always pulling for him,” Tucker told reporters. “I’m very close with him. I’m close with he and his family, so I was really, really excited for him. I was really happy for him.”

Both Coleman and quarterback Payton Thorne entered the NCAA transfer portal in April following MSU’s spring practice. The departures were hot topics on social media. College football observers were critical of Michigan State making a long-term commitment to Tucker after the 2021 season.

Tucker knows as well as anyone that the portal giveth, and the portal taketh away. Coleman happened to land with 1 of the other coaches best known for using the portal to make roster upgrades and address depth issues, Florida State’s Mike Norvell.