Louisiana Tech transfer portal DB Michael Richard commits to Michigan State
Lousiana Tech junior defensive back Michael Richard commits to Michigan State. He visited MSU on Jan. 3 and is ranked as a 3-star player in the transfer portal.
Michigan State football adds a versatile defensive back to its secondary with the commitment of Louisiana Tech junior safety Michael Richard. He could also potentially play as a nickel back for the Spartans.
Completing a successful visit to MSU on Jan. 3, he'll have one year of eligibility remaining with the Spartans for the 2026 season.
A New Orleans native, Richard signed with Louisiana Tech in 2022 and played as a true freshman as he debuted in the 2023 season. Making a direct impact at the safety position, he led all freshman in Conference USA in pass breakups and tied for sixth in the conference with seven total that year. He earned Freshman All-American and Conference USA Freshman of the Year honors in 2023.
Carrying that momentum into his sophomore campaign, Richard was named to the Phil Steele Preseason Third Team All-CUSA and CFN Preseason Second Team All-CUSA in 2024. He finished the season with 33 total tackles, one tackle for loss and one pass breakup, despite missing three games due to injury. In his final season with Louisiana Tech, he recorded 39 tackles, five tackles for loss, three interceptions and six passes defended as a junior in 2025.
Richard's career performance has recorded 104 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and 14 passes defended in 34 total games at Louisiana Tech. Richard's defensive efforts have also led the Bulldogs to back-to-back Independence Bowl game appearances in 2024 and 2025.
Richard is listed as a three-star transfer according to 247Sports.