When the 2024 Michigan State football season came to a close, Jonathan Smith identified positions of need, and one of them was wide receiver.
The Spartans had just lost Montorie Foster Jr. to the NFL and Aziah Johnson, Jaron Glover, Antonio Gates Jr., and Jaelen Smith to the transfer portal. The only returning receiver with more than two catches from a season ago was Nick Marsh. That meant that the offense needed to address the receiver position in the portal, and it did just that.
Smith landed Omari Kelly from Middle Tennessee and Chrishon McCray from Kent State. Both of those guys were heavily sought-after, and they were projected to complement Marsh nicely.
He also landed Rodney Bullard Jr. from Division II's Valdosta State and Evan Boyd from Central Michigan. They were added to an already-solid room, which will also bring in some talented freshmen.
Everyone assumed that the starters would be Marsh, Kelly, and McCray.
We may have jumped the gun.
Over the past few weeks, Smith has stated that the third receiver spot is still up for grabs, and the name that seems to constantly come up when speaking of standouts in the room is Bullard.
Smith reiterated that Bullard is standing out during his time on BTN on Thursday night.
Jonathan Smith on Big Ten Network mentions Omari Kelly, then Rod Bullard next when discussing transfer additions from the receiver room. Just something to note.
— Emmett Matasovsky (@E_Matasovsky57) August 22, 2025
Kelly has been tabbed as the team's WR2 for a few weeks now, but no one has really stood out as the third receiver, until Smith mentioned Bullard last week, and then again on Thursday.
Those who were expecting McCray to be the third starting receiver weapon may have to adjust those expectations. He's likely going to be a depth piece despite being named to the Biletnikoff Award watch list this preseason.
A Biletnikoff Award watch list member likely coming off the bench? This room is loaded.