The news on social media platform X revealed that Michigan State safety Jaden Mangham, who entered the transfer portal, intended to visit rival Michigan. The report, shared by 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz, sparked a heated exchange between Mangham’s family, former Michigan State football players Tony Lippett, Felton Davis, and RJ Shelton, along with numerous passionate Michigan State fans on the app. Mangham ultimately committed to Michigan earlier today.
While that was going on, behind the scenes the Michigan State coaches had a trick up their sleeves as well involving a player in the transfer portal for the rival Wolverines visiting Michigan State this weekend. Showing everyone that in the current landscape of college football, transferring to or visiting a rival after transferring is going to become more common. Similar to an NFL free agent leaving their team and signing with a division rival.
The player in question is freshman linebacker Semaj Bridgeman, previously a four-star prospect who recently completed his true freshman season at Ann Arbor. Although Bridgeman didn’t play during his first year with the Wolverines, the next time he steps onto the field, it will be in a Michigan State uniform, emerging from the tunnel at Spartan Stadium.
The soon-to-be redshirt freshman is listed at 6-foot-2, 246 pounds. He played his high school ball at Imhotep Institute in Philadelphia, (PA) and was ranked as a four-star in both the 247Sports and Composite Rankings and the No. 302 player overall in the 2023 recruiting class.
Michigan State can use Bridgeman in multiple ways. On defense he could project to linebacker or the rush end position, two places that he played his whole high school career. They could even get creative and move him to the offensive side of the ball to play some tight end, another position that he played at a high level in high school.
Spartan Tailgate will have further coverage on the commitment of Bridgeman as more information becomes available as well as on the Shaw Lane VIP Message Board, as the commitment is sure to stir up plenty of discussion.
