Michigan State Football: Early look at top 10 recruiting targets for 2022

OK, so if Tay’shawn Trent is the No. 2 priority at receiver for Michigan State in the 2022 class, Antonio Gates Jr. would have to be No. 1, right? The four-star receiver from Dearborn, Mich., was set to commit a couple of months ago before deciding to hold off and take more time to gather information and then make a clearer choice.

When he was going to commit, Michigan State was the heavy favorite. The Spartans are still the favorites here, but having him extend his recruitment wasn’t an ideal move.

Mel Tucker is familiar with Gates Jr.’s father, an NFL legend, as he coached at Michigan State when Antonio Gates enrolled with hopes of playing both football and basketball in college. Nick Saban told him he could only stick to football which led to his transfer, but clearly there’s no ill-will directed at the program as his son thinks highly of the Spartans.

Gates Jr. is one of the best prospects in the 2022 class, ranked No. 179 by 247Sports and he’s also the 23rd-best receiver and fourth-best Michigan-based recruit.

If Michigan State wants to build momentum with in-state recruiting, landing Gates, along with his teammate Kamarii Landers, would be a good start.