Mel Tucker, at the outset of spring practice, prepared for the likelihood that one of Michigan State football’s quarterbacks would exit his program in the months ahead. It was the new reality in the age of the transfer portal, where players at football’s most important position could ascertain their market value as they sought better opportunities elsewhere.
“We anticipated possibly one guy leaving, not maybe knowing who,” Tucker said in July.
Few anticipated it would be Payton Thorne, a two-time captain who had made 26 consecutive starts since the 2020 season finale, and already ranked among the most accomplished passers to ever come through East Lansing.