As a standout at Terra Nova High School in Pacifica, Ca., Mini played quarterback and free safety.
With Jack Velling returning as the incumbent starting tight end and Brennan Parachek the backup with more blocking responsibilities, Mini factors in as a depth piece. The Spartans can develop him over time, investing in a role player from a lower level filling a similar niche in the more competitive Big Ten. Mini fills the void left by Ademola Faleye, who entered the transfer portal in December and remains there as of publication.
Mini is the 15th player to pick Michigan State this transfer portal cycle, which opened Dec. 9.
Former BYU linebacker Aisea Moa announces MSU pledge Michigan State picked up another linebacker in the transfer portal.
Aisea Moa, a linebacker who played for Brigham Young University the past three seasons, announced his commitment to the Spartans via social media Monday afternoon.
He has two seasons of eligibility remaining.
Moa is primarily a pass rusher. He appeared in 12 games for BYU last season, recording 16 combined tackles and forcing a fumble as a depth player. That was the most Moa has played in his college career after appearing sparingly his first two seasons, the first of which counted as a redshirt year.
Coming out of Weber High School in Pleasant View, Utah, Moa was a four-star prospect ranked 44th among defensive line prospects and fourth in the state of Utah by 247Sports. While his play at BYU didn’t match what one might expect of a prospect of his caliber, a change of scenery could be a useful investment for a Michigan State team that badly needs help on the pass rush.
It’s clear the Spartans are targeting untapped potential in the transfer portal, as Moa’s situation is similar to Anelu Lafaele, another fourstar prospect who committed to the Spartans after a season on the bench at Wisconsin.
Last season, the Spartans tallied just two sacks in the final eight games of the season, both of which came in the same November win over Purdue. As a whole, the unit struggled to get to the quarterback, and when it did failed to maintain containment.
Personnel-wise, Moa’s addition could help, along with the commitments of transfers David Santiago (Air Force) and Lafaele.
MSU’s portal additions include: offensive linemen Luka Vincic (Oregon State), Caleb Carter (Western Carolina) and Matt Gulbin (Wake Forest); tight end Mason Mini (Idaho); wide receivers Evan Boyd (Central Michigan), Chrishon McCray (Kent State) and Omari Kelly (Middle Tennessee); running back Elijah Tau-Tolliver (Sacramento State); defensive tackle Grady Kelly (Florida State); defensive backs Ni- Jhay Burt (Eastern Illinois), Joshua Eaton (Texas State) and Malcolm Bell (Connecticut); and edge rushers/outside linebackers David Santiago (Air Force), Anelu Lafaele (Wisconsin) and Moa (Brigham Young).