Keyshawn Blackstock Sr. of Michigan State watches before the second half of the game against Washington on Saturday, September 16, 2023 at Spartan Stadium in East Lansing. (MLive.com/Cory Morse) MLive.com’s Cory Morse
After using the transfer portal, Keyshawn Blackstock selected his next school in less than a month.
On Monday afternoon, the former offensive tackle for Michigan State made his commitment to Arkansas known on social media. He was one of four Spartans who were taken off the roster for using the portal during the 30-day period that followed coach Mel Tucker’s September firing for cause. As the backup left tackle in the first four games of the season, Blackstock decided to sit out and keep his redshirt.
Blackstock reported receiving over 20 offers after using the portal, including offers from Nebraska, Penn State, and Ole Miss. He is still eligible for two years.
Blackstock, a native of Georgia who attended Coffeyville Community College in Kansas, was ranked as the top JUCO interior offensive lineman in the 2023 class by 247Sports Composite. He arrived on campus in January after selecting Michigan State over his other top choices, which included Oregon, Tennessee, USC, and Oklahoma. Following fall camp, Brandon Baldwin emerged as the team’s starting left tackle, with Blackstock serving as his backup. In the first four games combined, Blackstock amassed 74 offensive snaps, according to Pro Football Focus.
Chris Kapilovic, the offensive line coach at Michigan State, stated earlier this month that Blackstock rolled his ankle during a Sept. 23 loss to Maryland and that, since a redshirt was still available, the choice was made for
to miss the remainder of the season with him. He then went through the portal.
“My issue with the portal was that I would have rather he stayed and continued practising, training, and improving,” Kapilovic remarked. That’s how things went because his family members were worried about what would happen to him after the season and other things if he got hurt. But maintain constant open communication. As a coach, you occasionally have to choose between what’s best for the team and what’s best for the individual, and that’s where we ended up.
