COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 11: Quarterback Messiah deWeaver #10 of the Michigan State Spartans is tripped up on fourth down by Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the fourth quarter at Ohio Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 48-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Former four-star QB transferring out of Michigan State decides on new landing spot

Taking the long road back to big boy football?

Messiah deWeaver, a four-star prospect out of the 2016 recruiting class, has officially announced that his transfer from Michigan State will result with him landing in the JUCO ranks. The once heralded high school prospect announced his decision to transfer to East Mississippi Community College on Twitter.

The 6-foot-4, 221-pound redshirt freshman announced in late December his intention to leave Michigan State. He played sparingly for the Spartans last season.

By going the JUCO route, deWeaver leaves the door open for a return to big boy football down the line.

In four seasons as a prolific high school starting signal-caller, deWeaver played for teams that had a combined overall record of 49-9, including three state runner-up finishes. He completed 468 of 848 career passes (.551 completion percentage) for 7,624 yards, 90 touchdowns and 26 interceptions.

Coming out of high school, Alabama, Arkansas, Bowling Green, Duke, and many others, all attempted to recruit him.

Having redshirted in 2016, it provides the youngster with two more years of eligibility should he look to head back to the FBS ranks in 2019. Thanks to going the JUCO route, if he returns, he can do so and play immediately. Had he transferred laterally, he would have been forced to sit a season due to NCAA transfer rules.