3&Out: Michigan State WR room still surging, EDGE position remains a work in progress

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Three takeaways after watching a portion of practice and speaking with three assistant coaches and several players on Tuesday at the outset of the final week of spring football practice at Michigan State: 1. DON’T SLEEP ON WR SUPPORTING CAST We’ve been hearing about - and in some cases, seeing - the immediate positive impact that Michigan State’s new wide receivers are having in the offense. More than one source with direct knowledge of the situation have told me that overall wide receiver position group is better than it was a year ago.  Michigan State saw three receivers hit the transfer portal after the 2024 season, in addition to Montorie Foster’s departure due to graduation. I had heard late last season that there were plans to retool the offensive line and wide receiver rooms in December. But when Aziah Johnson, Jaron Glover and Jaelen Smith hit the portal, I struggled to see how this could create a step forward for the wide receiver room and the offense overall. Not that Johnson, Glover and Smith were great, but I had trouble visualizing how a wholesale discard situation would provide a net positive in trying to complement stud split end Nick Marsh. Then Michigan State signed Omari Kelly from Middle Tennessee State, Crishon McCray from Kent State, Evan Boyd from Central Michigan and Rodney Bullard from Valdosta State, at face value, on paper, there might not have seemed to be a lot of star power there.  But you don’t have to watch many highlight clips from last year to see why Kelly was first-team All-Conference USA last year, and why McCray has the highest career grades from Pro Football Focus than any transfer receiver in college football for 2025.  Kelly has played like a bona fide Big Ten starter all spring. More than a starter, he has played like a Big Ten plus player.  Everyone knows Marsh is a stud. Here’s my point: don’t overlook the rest of that group. McCray and Bullard give Michigan State some water bug quickness and play-making knack in the slot that the Spartans didn’t have last year. (More Inside)