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Michigan State Football: 4-star WR Antonio Gates Jr. could be first domino to fall

By Connor Muldowney

Dearborn Fordson receiver Antonio Gates Jr. runs against Belleville defensive back Deshaun Lee during the first half in Belleville, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020.
Dearborn Fordson receiver Antonio Gates Jr. runs against Belleville defensive back Deshaun Lee during the first half in Belleville, Friday, Sept. 25, 2020. /
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For a little over a year now, Antonio Gates Jr. was high on Michigan State football’s 2022 class board. Mel Tucker wanted the four-star receiver in green and white, but he set a decision date last fall and then postponed it.

Essentially, it looked like the Spartans’ chances were dwindling.

Any time a target postpones a decision, the presumed favorite feels like there’s a negative reason for that. Fortunately for the Spartans, Gates Jr.’s postponement ultimately led to the four-star wide out’s commitment to Michigan State.

On Monday, he made it official.

https://twitter.com/AntoniogatesJr1/status/1419690768856502280?s=20

Gates Jr., the son of NFL legend and one-time Spartan (for a year) Antonio Gates, became Michigan State’s 16th pledge in the 2022 class and immediately jumped Katin Houser in terms of top-ranked commits for Tucker and Co., according to the composite.

In fact, Gates Jr. is listed as the No. 293 overall recruit and 45th-best receiver, per the composite. But 247Sports is higher on him, recently moving him up in their Top247 to No. 210 overall and the No. 33 receiver in the class. He’s also Michigan’s No. 5 prospect. He chose the Spartans over Florida, Penn State, Kentucky, and Tennessee.

Gates Jr. could be Michigan State football’s first big domino

Closing out the receiver class with Gates Jr. is a big move for the coaching staff and they flexed their recruiting muscle here. They wanted one of Shawn Miller, Kevin White, Armani Winfield, or Gates Jr. to close out the position in the class, and they got just that with the latter.

Now the staff can focus on finishing strong with Alex VanSumeren on the board along with Ryan Baer, Dillon Tatum, and Jaden Mangham all still on the board. Michigan State could realistically add 2-3 more four-star prospects and this Gates Jr. pledge could set off a string of them.

Michigan State’s 2022 class is now ranked No. 27 in the country after the Gates Jr. pledge and it should finish on a high note with the targets remaining.

Next. 5 MSU football targets who could commit in July. dark

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