Former Arizona State DB Ed Woods commits to Michigan State

Michigan State has added a talented player out of the transfer portal. Former Arizona State defensive back Ed Woods has committed to the Spartans, according to On3’s Hayes Fawcett.

Woods was a two-year starter for the Sun Devils. He has tallied 66 career tackles and three forced fumbles.

Ed Woods also visited Alabama, before committing to the Spartans. On3’s Pete Nakos previously spoke with Woods about Michigan State.

“I’m going to be honest, I like Michigan State because of the relationships I have with most of these coaches,” Woods told Nakos. “I feel like I’m at home. They understand where I come from, and Coach Meat is one of the best in the nation.”

Ed Woods signed with Arizona State as a three-star recruit and the No. 88 cornerback in the country in the class of 2020, per the On3 Industry rankings.

The Oakland, California native is now off to Michigan State to play for first-year head coach Jonathan Smith.

Michigan State WR Antonio Gates Jr. withdrawing from transfer portal

In addition to landing Ed Woods, Michigan State received some more good news recently in regards to receiver Antonio Gates Jr.

Gates Jr. is withdrawing from the transfer portal, according to On3’s Pete Nakos.

The son of NFL legend Antonio Gates, the younger Gates was a four-star recruit and top-300 prospect in the 2022 class. He redshirted as a freshman in 2022. The 6-foot-2, 194-pound receiver finished the 2023 season with five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown. He played in all 12 games this past season, mostly on special teams.

Gates went through spring drills but did not participate in scrimmage activities during this month’s “Spartan Spring Showcase” in East Lansing. The Dearborn, Michigan, native entered the portal earlier this week. Gates’ father started his playing career at Michigan State before transferring to Eastern Michigan and eventually Kent State, where he played basketball.

This time around, Antonio Gates Jr. will be staying with the Spartans.

“He has flashed,” wide receiver coach Courtney Hawkins said earlier this month. “He shows the ability to win deep, to win intermediate. I just think he’s taken a couple years to kind of figure college ball out and everything that it takes to be a college athlete, student-athlete. And I think things are finally slowing down for him, and he’s showing up. If he continues to play like he’s playing, he’s gonna compete for playing time in the fall. He’s had a really good spring.”

On3’s Pete Nakos contributed to this report