Reserve quarterback Domenic Natale announced earlier this month that he would not return to MSU next season.

The redshirt freshman had been battling sophomore Brian Hoyer for the backup spot to senior quarterback Drew Stanton but was placed third on the team's depth chart after spring practices.

MSU has released Natale from his athletic scholarship to transfer to either Rutgers or Cincinnati, according to MSU Sports Information officials.

Natale didn't have any recorded pass attempts in 2005, but he did appear in games. The Warren, N.J., native graduated high school a semester early to enroll at MSU for spring last year. He was a highly recruited prospect who threw for close to 2,700 yards in two years in high school.