Middle Tennessee WR, former Auburn transfer Omari Kelly commits to Michigan State

Former Middle Tennessee State wide receiver Omari Kelly has committed to Michigan State, via the NCAA Transfer Portal, per On3’s Pete Nakos. Kelly played one season at MTSU after spending his first two collegiate campaigns at Auburn.

This season at MTSU, Kelly amassed 53 receptions for 869 yards and four touchdowns. Kelly had his best game of the season in MTSU’s 49-21 loss to Western Kentucky when he erupted for 239 receiving yards and three touchdowns.

Kelly was also an excellent return man, fielding eight punts and taking them back for 83 yards and a touchdown. For his efforts, he was named a First-Team All-Conference USA wide receiver and Second-Team All-Conference USA returner.

In his two seasons at Auburn, Kelly saw limited action, amassing five receptions for 101 total yards. He will have one year of eligibility remaining.

Kelly played high school football at Hewitt-Trussville (AL), where he was a four-star prospect. He was the No. 284 overall recruit and No. 7 athlete in the 2022 recruiting cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, a weighted average that utilizes all four major recruiting media companies.

Kelly is the first player to commit to Michigan State in this transfer portal cycle. The Spartans finished with a 5-7 record this season, Jonathan Smith‘s first at the helm of the program.

Michigan State’s best win of the season was a convincing 32-20 victory over Iowa. However, the Spartans weren’t able to carry the momentum forward, posting a 1-4 record in the final five games of the season.

Omari Kelly provides a strong foundation for Michigan State to build upon as it looks to revamp its wide receiver room this offseason. Michigan State has seen four wide receivers enter the transfer portal since the end of the season: Redshirt sophomores Jaron Glover and Antonio Gates, as well as redshirt freshmen Aziah Johnson and Jaelen Smith.

The Spartans will also have to replace graduating senior Montorie Foster. The thin wide receiver unit will be something to monitor as Michigan State navigates the offseason.