Michigan State Football adds punter Cody Waddell from the transfer portal

The Michigan State University football roster for the fall of 2021 increased by one this afternoon, as punter Cody Waddell announced his transfer to MSU via Twitter:

Waddell originally hails from Elkton, Maryland, and has spent the last three seasons in Lubbock, Texas as a member of the the Texas Tech Red Raiders football program. After a redshirt season and then two seasons as the backup punter where he did not see action, Waddell opted to enter the transfer portal following the conclusion of the 2020 season. He is expected to walk-on at MSU.

Prior to his time at Texas Tech, Waddell was the primary punter, place kicker, and kick-off specialist for Lincoln University, a Division II program in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Through two seasons at Lincoln, Waddell averaged 36.7 yard per punt and had a career long punt of 70 yards.

This fall, Waddell is expected to compete with redshirt senior walk-on Bryce Barringer for punting duties and will add needed depth.

It has been a strange revolving door at the position since Coach Mel Tucker arrived. In April of 2020, the presumed starter punter, Jack Bouwmeester, opted to return home to Australia after just one year in East Lansing.

Bouwmeester was replaced on the roster by Mitchell Crawford, a transfer from UTEP with only one year of eligibility. But, Barringer did most of the punting in 2020. At that time, the Spartans had a commitment from another Aussie punter, 23-year old Mark Vassett, but he decommitted from the Green and White and has since committed to Louisville.

It should not also be noted that current Spartan tight end, Tyler Hunt, started his career as a walk-on punter and could likely still kick in a pinch, if needed. If the 2018 season taught us anything, it is that sometimes having a couple extra guys on the roster who can kick the ball is good idea.