Most of the attention on Wednesday centered around the early signing period opening for the class of 2021 recruits, but there was another big football-related announcement for Michigan State — a new graduate transfer quarterback.
Anthony Russo, a grad transfer quarterback from Temple, announced on Wednesday that he will be coming to MSU next season. Chris Solari of The Detroit Free Press reported that he has one year of eligibility remaining and will be immediately eligible to play next season.
Grad transfer QB from Temple becoming a Spartan. Immediate eligibility for 2021. https://t.co/uNMujLXH6D
— Chris Solari (@chrissolari) December 16, 2020
Russo, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 235 pounds, was a three-year starter at Temple, appearing in 26 games. He has a completion percentage of 59.6%, 6,287 passing yards, 44 passing touchdowns and 32 interceptions in his career. Russo also has seven career rushing touchdowns.
This past season, Russo started the first three games of the season but then missed the next two because of a shoulder injury and the final two games after being placed on the COVID-19 protocol list.
Russo will join an interesting competition next spring for the starting quarterback position. As of right now, that will include junior Rocky Lombardi, redshirt freshman Payton Thorne, junior Theo Day, freshman Noah Kim and incoming freshman Hamp Fay — who will be enrolling early this spring.
