As reported earlier, speculation was that redshirt sophomore safety-turned-linebacker Jalyn Powell was thinking about transferring from Michigan State. After spending two-plus years as part of the Spartans’ program, Powell has been granted a release from Michigan State on Monday and he has decided to take his talents to Youngstown State.

Powell had a bright future in the Green & White, but he constantly found himself behind other top athletes on the depth chart and he wasn’t going to wait around for his time to come.

Can’t blame a kid for wanting to make a name for himself at a different school as Powell will likely step into a larger role right away and produce much more than he did for the Spartans during his redshirt freshman season.

During that freshman year, Powell saw action in nine games at safety in the regular season before playing Star linebacker at the Cotton Bowl in January. He recorded five tackles in his first year of play, three of which came against Baylor in the bowl win.

It seemed as if he would get a tremendous boost in playing time this coming season as a sophomore, but there was no guarantee he would jump over anyone in the depth chart next season — even with departures via graduation — and he decided to do what was best for his career.

Powell stands just 5-foot-11 and weighs in at 195 pounds, but the weakside linebacker was expecting to bulk up for his position change. It’s unclear what position he will play for the Penguins, but he will be an instant-impactor.

Tough to see the former Spartan go.