Back in the 2022 class, Detroit Cass Tech three-star receiver Jameel Gardner received a ton of interest from MAC programs, and he ultimately decided to commit to Kent State. Fast forward to 2026 and that same Detroit product could be coming back home to play at the Power Five level for Michigan State.
The kid who had just eight reported offers out of high school and none from the Power Five is getting a serious look by Michigan State and there’s a chance that Pat Fitzgerald could bring him home.
According to Allen Trieu of Rivals, Fitzgerald is bringing the Jackson State transfer in for a visit after suffering plenty of offseason attrition at the position in the portal. Gardner may not be a WR1 or even a starting option, but he’s a depth piece and that could be almost as valuable.
Gardner has 68 career receptions for 888 yards and four touchdowns.
Courtney Hawkins could use more help in the WR corps
It’s been a somewhat disappointing offseason for Courtney Hawkins and Michigan State because of the loss of star wideout Nick Marsh. The Spartan receivers coach was developing yet another NFL wideout before Marsh decided to hit the portal after the last coaching change and he committed to the reigning national champs.
On top of Marsh leaving for the portal, Hawkins also lost Omari Kelly and Evan Boyd. He also flirted with the idea of losing Chrishon McCray but the talented wideout opted to return.
Rod Bullard Jr., too, could be gone if the NCAA doesn’t grant him a waiver for an extra year of eligibility. The receiving corps has thinned out pretty drastically and Michigan State now has a drop of guys who are relatively unproven, led by McCray. Adding more experience and depth at wideout is important.
Michigan State has some talented pieces like Fredrick Moore, KK Smith, McCray, Bryson Williams, Zach Washington, Braylon Collier, Charles Taplin, and Rai’Shawn Elmore. Adding someone like Gardner would boost the room and potentially give Fitzgerald a backup plan in the case that Bullard isn’t granted another year.
Adding depth while allowing a Detroit kid return back to the state to finish his college career? That’d be a win-win in my book.
Add us as a preferred source on Google