Michigan State Football: Ranking the position groups heading into 2020

2. Receivers/Tight Ends

Jayden Reed was one of the biggest transfer additions in the Mark Dantonio era, but the head coach who brought him to East Lansing will never get to see him play. He was forced to sit out the 2019 season, but the Western Michigan transfer and former Freshman All-American might just become a star in Jay Johnson’s offense. He has speed, elusiveness and route-running abilities that will make every defense game plan for him.

Alongside Reed will be Tre Mosley and Jalen Nailor, two guys who could be in for breakout seasons if they can remain healthy. That’s a talented, young starting trio.

CJ Hayes was supposed to be the veteran of the group but he suffered an injury and will have surgery. His timetable is unknown, but that’s a tough loss.

Courtney Hawkins will still have plenty of young talent to work with in potential breakout stars such as Ricky White, Tre’Von Morgan, Terry Lockett, Ian Stewart and Montorie Foster. Laress Nelson and Javez Alexander are also looking for that first breakout season as guys with at least three years under their belts.

As for the tight ends, this might be one of the better groups in the conference, led by the senior Matt Dotson who’s coming off a serious injury that ended his 2019 season early. He was on pace for a breakout season and if he can cut down his drops, he might just be a focal point on offense.

Trenton Gillison could very well start, too, as a sophomore. He’s one of the most athletic tight ends in the conference and his 6-4, 245-pound frame is ideal.

Add in Adam Berghorst, Parks Gissinger, Tommy Guajardo and the recently converted kicker Tyler Hunt and you have a deep group.