Michigan State WR Antonio Gates Jr. withdraws from transfer portal
East Lansing, Mich. – Michigan State wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr. has withdrawn from the transfer portal, On3 national reporters Pete Nakos and Steve Wiltfong confirmed on Friday. The redshirt sophomore entered the portal just four days ago.
Gates – the son of NFL great Antonio Gates – was not a full participant in Michigan State’s Spring Showcase on April 20. He did participate in pre-scrimmage drills, but was not among the first three units during the scrimmaging portion of the event.
It’s unclear whether Gates was battling any physical ailments.
Redshirt senior Montorie Foster, redshirt sophomore Jaron Glover and redshirt freshman Aziah Johnson started at wide receiver for the first offensive unit. True freshman Nick Marsh had a strong showing with the second unit. Redshirt senior Alante Brown and redshirt freshman Jaelen Smith also received extended reps during the scrimmage.
Now Gates is back in the mix for Michigan State. The Spartans will also bring in true freshmen receivers Austin Clay and Jaylan Brown this summer.
Gates (6-2, 194) played in all 12 games for Michigan State last season, including 175 snaps on offense and 26 on special teams. He caught five passes for 82 yards and one touchdown last season.
The Detroit native redshirted his first season in East Lansing and did not appear in a game.
A former four-star prospect out of Dearborn (Mich.) Fordson High School, Gates was the No. 290 player in the 2022 class, per the On3 Industry Rankings. He was also the No. 47 wide receiver and No. 7 player from Michigan.
Michigan State now has 16 players in the portal: defensive back Marqui Lowery, defensive back Eddie Pleasant, defensive back Sean Brown, defensive end Bai Jobe, defensive tackle Derrick Harmon, defensive end Andrew Depaepe, defensive tackle Simeon Barrow, kicker Stephen Rusnak, offensive lineman Andy Hartman, long snapper Drew Wilson, running back Jalen Berger, tight end Jack Nickel, running back Davion Primm, offensive lineman Braden Miller, running back Jaelon Barbarin and linebacker Ma’a Gaoteote.
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The spring transfer window is open until April 30.
The latest on Michigan State’s search for a portal WR
The Spartans expressed interest in adding a transfer wide receiver prior to Gates’ portal entry. Head coach Jonathan Smith and company are currently hosting Auburn transfer wide receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson for a visit. Johnson (5-10, 167) has already visited Central Florida and Arizona. He plans to visit Texas A&M on May 3.
Johnson, a sixth-year senior, will decide between those four schools. He has one year of eligibility remaining.
The former four-star recruit caught 19 passes for 347 yards and three touchdowns last season. He logged 66 receptions for 1,092 yards and eight touchdowns in his five-year career at Auburn.
Michigan State also offered former Colorado State wide receiver Justus Ross-Simmons earlier this offseason, but he has since committed to Syracuse.
