One of Michigan State’s most productive transfer portal pickups may be at an unexpected spot in 2026.
When MSU got the portal commitment of N.C. State linebacker transfer Kenny Soares Jr. returned on Jan. 13, and it seemed like the Spartans and linebacker coach Max Bullough had added another nice name to their room.
Soares was a starting middle linebacker for the Wolfpack in 2025 and ranked second on the team with 80 total tackles across the season. He also played for Pat Fitzgerald at Northwestern during the 2022 season, remaining with the Wildcats through 2024.
Well, Soares isn’t listed as a linebacker on Michigan State’s spring roster. He’s actually listed as an EDGE rusher at 6-foot-2 and 234 pounds. That could be an interesting move with implications on how the Spartans use him this season.
What Move to EDGE Means
Certainly, this probably means that MSU envisions using Soares as more of a pass rusher, rather than a linebacker. Returning captain Jordan Hall is still holding down that MIKE linebacker spot, but Soares did get some snaps in as an outside linebacker in last season, too…