Three years ago, Omari Kelly was a highly sought-after recruit who committed to Auburn where he was expecting to be the next NFL wideout to come out of the program.
After two seasons and 19 total games, Kelly had a total of five catches for 101 yards, and really didn't see the field like he had expected. He transferred to Middle Tennessee for the 2024 season to get the opportunity that he believed he deserved, and he didn't disappoint. Kelly finished with 53 receptions for 869 yards and four touchdowns, hitting the transfer portal after 11 games with the Blue Raiders.
He chose Michigan State as his final collegiate home.
Kelly joined Jonathan Smith's program in East Lansing, and having an elite receivers coach like Courtney Hawkins had to help his decision. He joined a receiver room that had a record-breaking freshman in Nick Marsh and it also added a few more transfer wideouts in Chrishon McCray, Evan Boyd, and Rod Bullard, so his work was cut out for him once again.
Having to fight for a spot on the depth chart, Kelly has been playing with a major chip on his shoulder, and he continues to earn praise from the coaching staff.
Hawkins spoke highly of his new weapon on Monday.
Hawkins on senior WR Omari Kelly: “He’s got a chip on his shoulder.”
— SpartanMag.com (@TheSpartanMag) August 18, 2025
The receivers coach went on to say that Kelly complements Marsh really well, and last week, Smith spoke to the media and hinted at the fact that those two are the only locked-in starters at the position heading into the opener. There's still a battle for WR3.
Many believed that McCray was going to be the second receiver behind Marsh, but Kelly has stepped up, and he apparently performs at a high level when people doubt him.
Sounds like he's fitting right in at Michigan State. Kelly and Marsh sound like they're going to be a problem for defenses all season long.
This receiver room is loaded.