After a week of quiet in the transfer portal for Michigan State football coach Jonathan Smith, the Spartans finally added some talent.
On Sunday, Michigan State landed the No. 19 transfer wide receiver and No. 75 overall player in the portal, Omari Kelly from Middle Tennessee.
BREAKING: #MichiganState has landed transfer WR Omari Kelly from Middle Tennessee.
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) December 15, 2024
Kelly put up 869 yards on 53 catches this past season. He was All-CUSA 1st Team WR & All-CUSA 2nd Team -team punt returner,
He started his career at Auburn.
STORY: https://t.co/7I9W4JyQUT (FREE) pic.twitter.com/kOmQje8ZYr
Kelly becomes Michigan State's first commitment from the transfer portal this offseason as he picked the Spartans over Louisville who was also heavily pursuing him. He was one of the top receivers in the portal and while he was ranked "just" 19th at the position, he was a first-team All-C-USA receiver this season after catching 53 passes for 869 yards and four touchdowns.
Not only was Kelly one of the best receivers in the Group of Five this past season, but he was also a really good punt returner. He had eight returns on the season for 81 yards and a touchdown.
With Michigan State losing Jaelen Smith, Antonio Gates Jr., Jaron Glover, and Montorie Foster Jr. this offseason, adding a guy like Kelly to be a legitimate WR2 candidate is huge.
Michigan State's receiving corps have taken a massive hit and Courtney Hawkins is getting some serious talent. It wouldn't be shocking to see the Spartans snag another starting-caliber receiver from the portal to help Aidan Chiles and that offense out.
With Nick Marsh likely returning, Michigan State now has a deadly 1-2 punch at receiver for the 2025 season and getting one more guy to go along with Jack Velling at tight end and maybe a transfer running back and linemen would make this offense scary -- a nice change from 2024.