EAST LANSING— Coach Mel Tucker and the Spartans are still making moves on  National Signing Day. On Wednesday afternoon, former Temple quarterback Anthony Russo announced on Twitter that he is transferring to Michigan State for the 2021 college football season.

Russo was a three-year starter at Temple who entered the NCAA transfer portal on Dec. 3. He played in just three games in 2020 due to a shoulder injury and COVID protocol, completing 92-of-135 passes for 868 yards, nine touchdowns and six interceptions.

Russo (Westminster, Pa.) was a mid-three-star recruit in 2016. He also held offers from Rutgers, Bucknell, Buffalo, Connecticut and Towson. 

During his three years at Temple, he played in 28 games at quarterback for the Owls, starting 26. He ranks third all-time in total passing yardage for the Owls with 6,292. He also threw for 44 touchdowns to 32 interceptions and ran for seven touchdowns over his career.

As a graduate transfer, Russo is immediately eligible to play in 2021 and has one year of eligibility. The signing brings veteran depth and starting experience to the Spartans’ quarterback room, and Russo should immediately compete with redshirt freshman Payton Thorne and redshirt junior Rocky Lombardi to be the starter at quarterback for the Spartans next year.

Russo is the 17th player to sign for Michigan State’s 2021 class, which is ranked No. 33 in the country and No. 9 in the Big Ten. He is the first player in the class to come from the transfer portal and second from another college after JUCO offensive tackle Brandon Baldwin signed earlier in the day.