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Michigan State football QB Payton Thorne enters transfer portal

One of the most prolific passes in Michigan State football history appears prepared to leave the program.

Payton Thorne entered the NCAA transfer portal Sunday as a graduate transfer, a program spokesman confirmed. He has been the Spartans’ starting quarterback the past two seasons, going 16-10 since his first start at the end of the 2020 season, and he guided MSU to an 11-2 season in 2021 with a Peach Bowl victory over Pitt.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound Thorne’s 49 touchdown passes are fourth-most in MSU history, his 6,494 passing yards are sixth-all-time, his 60.