For the first time in what feels like a decade, Michigan State football enters a season with a receiving corps that should be a major strength on the offensive side of the ball.
This is no knock on guys like Tre Mosley or Montorie Foster, but the receiver room has left a lot to be desired for years, and now it feels like Jonathan Smith has pieced together one of the best corps in the Big Ten. There's a case to be made that Michigan State has the best receiving corps in the conference outside of Ohio State -- that may be the boldest prediction I have for 2025.
Aidan Chiles spoke after the first fall practice on Tuesday about his receiving corps and you could tell he was excited about the guys he has to work with.
Chiles finally has some weapons.
Michigan State brought in Chrishon McCray from Kent State after he caught 40 passes for 705 yards and nine touchdowns for one of the worst teams in college football in 2024. The Spartans also added Omari Kelly who started his career at Auburn, but had 53 catches for 869 yards and four touchdowns last season with Middle Tennessee. Then there's Rod Bullard from the FCS level and Evan Boyd from Central Michigan. Add in Braylon Collier, Charles Taplin, and Bryson Williams and Michigan State has seven newcomers that could all have impacts in 2025.
This isn't even mentioning that the Spartans bring back Nick Marsh as one of the most decorated freshman receivers in program history. He's expected to have an All-Big Ten-caliber year.
The Spartans' corps has speed, size, shiftiness, a high IQ, and most importantly, depth.
For the first time since Jalen Nailor, Jayden Reed, and Keon Coleman were in the same receiver room, it feels like Courtney Hawkins has an embarrassment of riches.
This group is going to be special and we'll see Chiles benefit tremendously.