Michigan State adds ex-Temple QB Anthony Russo as grad transfer

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Michigan State has dipped into the transfer portal to add a veteran quarterback.

Anthony Russo, a transfer from Temple, announced Wednesday that he has committed to continue his college career at MSU. Russo played in 31 games over the past four years at Temple and was the team’s primary starter in 2018 and 2019.

In all, Russo made 26 starts at Temple before deciding to transfer. Russo will have one season of eligibility to play at Michigan State.

The 6-foot-4, 240-pound Russo signed with Temple in the class of 2016. He redshirted his first year and was a backup in 2017 before becoming the team’s top option in 2018, throwing for 2,563 yards, 14 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. In 2019, Russo threw for 2,861 yards, 21 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.

He played in Temple’s first three games this season, but ended up suffering a season-ending injury. Overall for his career, Russo has thrown for 6,287 yards, 44 touchdowns and 32 interceptions while completing 59.6% of his passes. He also has seven career rushing touchdowns.

Temple quarterback Anthony Russo throws against Navy during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)
Temple quarterback Anthony Russo throws against Navy during an NCAA football game on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2020, in Annapolis, Md. (AP Photo/Gail Burton)

In addition to landing a commitment from Russo, Michigan State also signed Hampton Fay, a three-star recruit from Fort Worth, Texas, on Wednesday. Those two will join a fairly crowded depth chart in 2021.

Rocky Lombardi, a junior, and redshirt freshman Payton Thorne have seen the majority of snaps at quarterback this season for the Spartans. MSU also has two other quarterbacks on scholarship: sophomore Theo Day and true freshman Noah Kim. Thorne, Day and Kim were all rated as three-star recruits by Rivals.

MSU is scheduled to close out its season at Maryland on Saturday with Thorne as the starter. The Spartans have a 2-5 record this season, their first with Mel Tucker as head coach.

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