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Michigan State defensive back, former top 50 safety, reportedly enters transfer portal
By Keith Farner
Published:
A.J. Kirk Jr. is reportedly looking to play elsewhere as a report from the Detroit Free Press said that Kirk has entered the transfer portal.
Kirk, a redshirt sophomore out of Columbus, Ohio (Archbishop Hoban), redshirted in 2021 and didn’t play last season. While Kirk was listed on MSU’s spring roster, multiple reports suggested he was not participating in the team’s spring practices.
Here’s his Michigan State bio:
2022 SEASON: Did not see game action.
2021 SEASON: Redshirted.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rated a four-star prospect by ESPN.com . . . ranked one of the best safety prospects in Ohio by Rivals.com (No. 2), ESPN.com (No. 2) and 247Sports (No. 3) . . . listed among the top 25 safeties in the nation by ESPN.com (No. 21) . . . named a Sports Illustrated All-American candidate . . . helped lead Archbishop Hoban High School to a perfect 11-0 record and the Division II state championship in Ohio . . . also saw action as a running back, wide receiver and kick returner for Coach Tim Tyrrell at Archbishop Hoban . . . named to the 2020 OPSWA Division II All-Ohio Second Team as a defensive back . . . ranked among the best overall players in Ohio by ESPN.com (No. 10), 247Sports (No. 27) and Rivals.com (No. 29) . . . outstanding performance in the state title game victory over Washington Massillon with three tackles for loss for 15 yards, including a 7-yard sack, as part of five tackles overall and 40 kick return yards . . . before transferring to Archbishop Hoban for his senior year, played at Dublin Coffman High School . . . brother of Mike and Dianekia Doss . . . Mike was a three-time All-American safety at Ohio State (2000-02) and played for defensive backs coach Mel Tucker for two seasons during his Buckeye career . . . Doss helped lead Ohio State to the 2002 National Championship and was named the Fiesta Bowl MVP and Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year; a second-round draft pick, he played six years in the NFL (Colts, 2003-06; Vikings, 2007; Bengals, 2008) and won a Super Bowl with the Colts . . . plans to major in business.
Keith Farner has written about college football for newspapers and web sites since 2005.