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Michigan State Football: Can young receiving corps produce in 2020?

By Jordan Manigoe

NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Jalen Nailor #8 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes past linebacker Ja'Cquez Williams #30 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - DECEMBER 27: Wide receiver Jalen Nailor #8 of the Michigan State Spartans rushes past linebacker Ja'Cquez Williams #30 of the Wake Forest Demon Deacons during the second half of the New Era Pinstripe Bowl at Yankee Stadium on December 27, 2019 in the Bronx borough of New York City. Michigan State Spartans won 27-21. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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Cody White is headed to the NFL a year early, but there are still some solid young pieces in Michigan State football’s receiving corps.

With Cody White forgoing his senior year with Michigan State, that leaves the Spartans in an even scarier spot than perceived before. The roster doesn’t have a lot of names who have made enough plays.

The only guys on the roster with legitimate playing time are Julian Barnett, CJ Hayes, Tre Mosley, Jalen Nailor and Laress Nelson. With that said, this leaves Michigan State in an interesting spot.

This year, the Spartans added four receivers into the class and with the departure of White, I’d expect to see a lot of young names play early in 2020.

Here are the Spartans’ 2020 receivers:

  • Jalen Nailor
  • CJ Hayes
  • Julian Barnett**
  • Tre Mosley
  • Jayden Reed
  • Laress Nelson
  • Tre’Von Morgan
  • Javez Alexander

Incoming freshmen:

  • Terry Lockett
  • Ian Stewart
  • Ricky White
  • Montorie Foster

The receivers honestly don’t look completely awful on paper, the fear is how fast the depth can develop and who can stay healthy. The excitement is that there’s a very good chance freshman receivers will be on the field early and we finally get to see Morgan and Jayden Reed, a Western Michigan transfer and former Freshman All-American, in action.

Michigan State also seems to be turning a new leaf, they’ve added way more athletic and speedy receivers to the roster. This seems like it could develop into one of the more exciting receiving corps in the Big Ten.

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Development is the biggest focus. If guys can develop early, this receiving corps goes from inexperienced to explosive.

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