Spartans add UCF dual-threat quarterback Cam Fancher from transfer portal

Michigan State entered the offseason with some uncertainty at the quarterback position after the starter for much of the 2025 season, Aidan Chiles, was injured during the year and has since entered the transfer portal (committing to Northwestern). While Alessio Milivojevic took over the starting role prior to Chiles' injury and is expected to be the starter for the Spartans in 2026, MSU also secured an experienced option for the quarterbacks room, landing a commitment from Central Florida transfer quarterback Cam Fancher on Tuesday.

The 6-foot-2, 205-pound quarterback announced his commitment to Michigan State via Instagram on Jan. 6. Fancher will arrive in East Lansing as a sixth-year senior with one year eligibility remaining. He is projected to be Milivojevic's backup, but the Spartans also return quarterback Leo Hannan and add highly-touted true freshman Kayd Coffman to the room in 2026.

Fancher brings a veteran profile to the Spartans’ quarterback room, having started games across multiple conferences and showning the ability to impact games both as a passer and a runner. He also brings leadership experience, serving as a team captain during his time at Florida Atlantic.

In his most recent season at UCF, Fancher appeared in three games in an injury-affected year. In limited action, he completed 56.9 percent of his passes for 333 yards, with no touchdowns or interceptions.

Prior to UCF, Fancher spent the 2024 season at Florida Atlantic, where he was one of four team captains and became the 14th Owl to start a season opener at quarterback. His year included a matchup against Michigan State to open the campaign, in which he threw for 116 yards and a touchdown, while carrying the ball 25 times for 67 yards, in a loss to the Spartans.

That same season, Fancher helped lead FAU to a 38–20 Shula Bowl rivalry victory over FIU, accounting for 161 passing yards and adding 64 yards on the ground. Before his time at FAU, Fancher began his college career at Marshall, earning the starting role as a redshirt freshman and remaining the primary starter throughout his redshirt sophomore season.

Fancher has demonstrated explosiveness as a runner — highlighted by a 76-yard touchdown run against UTSA — as well as the ability to push the ball vertically, including two consecutive 300-yard passing performances earlier in his career.

In total, throughout his career, Fancher has played in 37 games and completed 503 out of 834 passing attempts (60.3%) for 5,627 yards, 27 touchdowns and 23 interceptions. He also has recorded 1,292 rushing yards and nine additional touchdowns.

Injuries limited portions of Fancher’s redshirt junior and redshirt senior seasons, but if he is able to stay healthy, his experience, mobility, and leadership profile align with what new head coach Pat Fitzgerald is seeking in a backup quarterback. For Michigan State, the addition provides depth, optionality, and a proven dual-threat presence at quarterback.

Fancher will now play under Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, quarterbacks coach Mike Bajakian and the rest of the new Michigan State staff.