Former Michigan State D-linemen Derrick Harmon, Simeon Barrow Jr. find new programs

Simeon Barrow Jr. and Derrick Harmon, two of Michigan State's biggest losses to the transfer portal this spring, found their new teams for the 2024 season on Friday.

Barrow has pledged to play for Miami (Florida) next season, while Harmon, a Detroit native who played the last three seasons with the Spartans, will remain in the Big Ten, committing to Oregon on Friday. 

The news for both players' new schools, first reported by On3, comes within two weeks of both players having entered the portal for the second time in six months. Barrow's paperwork to transfer had been submitted on April 20. Harmon followed his fellow defensive lineman into the transfer portal a few days later.

It was the second time within six months both had submitted their names into the portal.

Barrow showed interest in potentially leaving Michigan State last season after Tucker was fired for cause in September. 

Barrow had numerous conversations with interim head coach Harlon Barnett about his future before deciding to enter the portal in October. He quickly changed his mind, though, and withdrew his name only two days later. He returned to the team and played in Michigan State’s Oct. 28 loss at Minnesota and saw the Spartans to a 4-8 record. 

Harmon had also previously entertained the idea of leaving Michigan State. Shortly after Jonathan Smith was hired to usher in a new era of Spartan football, the 6-foot-5 defensive tackle entered the portal but ultimately announced in late December that he planned to stay at Michigan State. Harmon, who was a former three-star recruit from Detroit Loyola, told reporters after a spring practice in March that a big reason for staying with the Spartans was to be close to home and within a driving distance of his mother. 

But those feelings clearly had changed after the Spartans wrapped up their spring practice program with their “Spring Showcase” on April 20. 

Harmon, who has two seasons of eligibility remaining, recorded 40 tackles in 11 games during the 2023 season. He's posted 69 total tackles, including 3½ sacks, as well as one forced fumble and one fumble recovery across three seasons. As a true freshman, he appeared in four games before deciding to sit out to preserve his redshirt season.

With Oregon being one of four former Pac-12 teams joining the Big Ten this season, Harmon is scheduled to face his former team Oct. 5 in Eugene, Oregon.

Meanwhile, Barrow's Michigan State career will end with him having registered 110 tackles, including 18.5 for loss yardage, and 10.5 sacks in his three seasons. 

Originally from Grovetown, Georgia, Barrow was recruited by Mark Dantonio and stayed committed to Michigan State after Tucker took over in February 2020. Barrow sat out his freshman season because of the pandemic and since has been a starter in 30 of his 34 appearances. 

Last season, Barrow recorded 36 tackles, including 5.5 for loss yardage and 3.5 sacks and has earned All-Big Ten honorable mention selections the past two years. 

Smith previously lauded his defensive line as being one of the Spartans’ strengths. After all, Michigan State welcomed back Barrow, Harmon and Maverick Hansen from last season and added graduate transfer Quindarius Dunnigan (Middle Tennessee State) and D’Quan Douse (Georgia Tech) to the mix. But Barrow and Harmon's departures now leave glaring holes in the Spartans' defensive line.

mkenney@detroitnews.com

@madkenney