Michigan State defensive end transfer to Virginia

By Jerry Ratcliffe

Virginia has found some help for its depleted defense through the transfer portal.

The Cavaliers gained former Michigan State defensive end Jack Camper, a 6-foot-5, 250-pound senior with two years of eligibility remaining. Camper, who is originally from Virginia Beach, announced he had committed to Virginia on his Twitter account.

Camper was a three-year letter winner at Michigan State, where over 28 games, recorded 29 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, one sack, and one fumble recovery. He had two starts during an injury-plagued career, including a start in 2020 against Penn State.

Having starred at powerhouse IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla., Camper was considered one of the top 35 tight ends in the country his senior season, and one of the top 100 prospects in the state of Florida.

At Michigan State, he converted to defensive end during his freshman campaign.

A 2018 redshirt, he moved on to play 39 snaps in 2019 before he was injured. In virus-shortened 2020, he played in all seven games, starting the Penn State game. Camper played in the Spartans’ first three games this past season before suffering a significant injury.

Virginia lost starting defensive end Mandy Alonso to graduation after this past season, and Alonso’s backup, Nusi Malani, who transferred to Washington State.