Keon Coleman Transfers To Florida State, Reportedly Not Just Because Of NIL Situation At Michigan State
Keon Coleman is officially leaving Michigan State for Florida State.
The junior-to-be announced the news Wednesday on social media.
Coleman was Michigan State's biggest emerging star, having turned heads with his impressive size and athleticism, even conjuring a few early NFL murmurs. He was expected to take another step forward with the Spartans in 2023, becoming a/the focal point of the offense.
Coleman and Payton Thorne, MSU's most recent starting quarterback, both entered the transfer portal on April 30. Two weeks ago, various sources and publications reported that Coleman was seeking a better NIL package than what he was getting in East Lansing. Others reported that Coleman was concerned Thorne's play could hurt his NFL draft stock as a wide receiver.
But Chris Solari, who covers MSU for The Detroit Free Press, reported Wednesday that neither of those ideas are what led to his departure from the Spartans' program:
Both Coleman and Thorne (as a graduate transfer) submitted their names for the portal April 30, the final day undergraduate players were able to enter. Thorne called Coleman the night before on April 29, his first conversation immediately after informing MSU's coaching staff he intended to transfer, and his wide receiver replied, "If you're leaving, so am I," according to a source with knowledge of the conversation. Thorne entered the portal first the next morning, followed by Coleman a few hours later that Sunday afternoon.
Coleman caught 58 passes for 798 yards, a 13.8 yards-per-catch average, and 7 touchdowns as a sophomore for Michigan State in 2022. At 6-foot-4, 210 pounds, his physical stature naturally lends itself to NFL comparison. That, combined with some flashes last year, had many expecting a breakout season for him in 2023.
He will be eligible to play for Florida State immediately and has two years of eligibility remaining.