Michigan State football loses WR Antonio Gates Jr. to transfer portal

After playing sparingly over the past two years, Antonio Gates Jr. has decided to transfer from Michigan State football.

There’s a ton of buzz up in East Lansing right now following the Michigan State football Spring Showcase on Saturday. Rumors are swirling about the transfer portal. Who’s coming and who’s going?

Last week, I wrote about Auburn transfer receiver Ja’Varrius Johnson taking a visit to East Lansing while the staff has stayed consistent in offering wideouts currently in the portal. All signs point toward adding another player to that position group.

With an addition to the wide receiver room, space needs to be cleared up. Which means we will see players enter the portal this week.

The first domino to fall has been redshirt sophomore Antonio Gates Jr. Having entered the portal on Monday, Gates will join a new team with three years of eligibility remaining.

Michigan State WR Antonio Gates Jr has entered the transfer portal, per @chris_hummer pic.twitter.com/YDlFL9w3W9

— PFF College (@PFF_College) April 22, 2024

As a member of the 2022 recruiting class, Gates was a part of former head coach Mel Tucker’s second full recruiting class at Michigan State. Between being the son of NFL great Antonio Gates and sporting a four-star ranking in high school, I know the fanbase had a ton of anticipation behind what he could do as he developed.

Unfortunately, we won’t be seeing what Gates Jr. could become in a green and white jersey.

Some speculated a move like this was imminent after the Spring Showcase this past weekend. Wide receivers Montorie Foster Jr. and Jaron Glover were expected to run with the first team but who the third wideout would be for the Spartans was a question heading into Saturday. To no one’s surprise, freshman phenom Nick Marsh made waves but in a more stunning move redshirt freshman Aziah Johnson stood out. He had an awesome practice/scrimmage and appeared to hop Gates on the depth chart.

This move appears to be the best for both parties. Best of luck to Gates Jr. I was excited to see him excel but sadly that will be at another school.