NC State linebacker Kenny Soares signs with Michigan State out of NCAA transfer portal

NC State linebacker Kenny Soares is headed back to the Big Ten, signing with Michigan State out of the NCAA transfer portal, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. Soares previously spent three seasons at Northwestern.

He transferred to NC State ahead of the 2025 campaign. While with the Wolfpack he put together an outstanding season, racking up 80 tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks, a fumble recovery and two passes defended.

Kenny Soares first suited up at Northwestern in 2022. He played in four games but ultimately took a redshirt.

He would begin to make a bigger impact from there. Soares played in 12 games for the Wildcats in 2023 and 2024. He logged 37 tackles, 4.0 tackles for a loss, 2.0 sacks, a fumble recovery and two passes defended in 2023. The 2024 campaign was a touch less productive, at 20 tackles, 1.5 tackles for a loss, 0.5 sacks and a pass defended.

Prior to enrolling at Northwestern, Kenny Soares was ranked as a three-star prospect and the No. 773 overall recruit in the 2022 class, according to the Rivals Industry Rankings. He also checked in as the No. 29 athlete in the class and the No. 11 overall player from the state of New Jersey, hailing from New Canaan (CT) St. Peter’s Prep.

Michigan State adds Kenny Soares, Charles Brantley

In addition to the Kenny Soares signing, Miami transfer cornerback Charles Brantley has committed to Michigan State, On3’s Pete Nakos has learned. It’s a return to East Lansing for Brantley, who previously played four seasons for the Spartans from 2021-24 before transferring to Miami last offseason.

Brantley played in only three games for the Hurricanes this year, allowing him to count it as a redshirt for eligibility purposes. He totaled one tackle.

In four years with Michigan State, Brantley appeared in 31 games and started 24. He had career numbers of 103 tackles (4.5 for loss), five interceptions (including two returned for touchdowns), 18 passes defended and one sack.

As a member of the Class of 2021, Brantley was a three-star recruit out of Venice (Fla.) High, according to the Rivals Industry Ranking. He was the No. 83 overall prospect in the state, the No. 57 cornerback in the class and the No. 632 overall prospect in the class.

On3’s Chandler Vessels also contributed to this report.