Michigan State football: Potential WR transfer targets

With the news of Keon Coleman entering the portal, which transfer receivers could Michigan State football target?

The offseason hasn’t been all that kind to Michigan State football fans, especially when it comes to transfer portal losses.

First, Germie Bernard entered the portal immediately following the season even though he was likely to be a starter at receiver this upcoming season. He ultimately ended up back at home with Washington. And then Payton Thorne announced after the spring game that he would be entering the portal and Auburn was the destination. If that wasn’t bad enough, Keon Coleman decided to hit the portal and he’s already scheduled an official visit with Florida State.

Charles Brantley announced his intention to transfer shortly after Thorne and Coleman, but immediately decided to withdraw his name the next day.

The departures leave a void on the offensive side of the ball, especially at receiver.

There’s a ton of receiver talent still in the portal, so while the portal taketh, it also giveth. Which portal receivers could Michigan State target?

Tyler Harrell, Alabama

Tyler Harrell wasn’t the most highly-touted recruit out of high school before he committed to Louisville. He was a three-star and didn’t see any real action until the 2021 season, three years after he got to campus. During that season, he went off for 523 yards and six touchdowns on 18 receptions, averaging a mind-numbing 29.1 yards per catch. He decided to hit the portal and transfer to Alabama for the 2022 season but suffered a foot injury and caught just two passes for 18 yards. He has elite speed and could be that deep threat to help break in a new quarterback. Michigan State has already gotten a visit from Harrell.

Jahdae Walker, Grand Valley State

If you’re looking for size at receiver, Jahdae Walker might be your guy. He stands 6-foot-4 and 185 pounds so he could be the height that Michigan State needs after losing Coleman. Although he played in Division II, he was one of the best receivers at that level and has earned a plethora of Power Five offers this spring. He caught 30 passes for 623 yards and four touchdowns in 2022, averaging an impressive 20.8 yards per catch. Michigan State recently offered.

Jordan Hudson, TCU

This is a guy I really want to see Mel Tucker and Co. pursue heavily, but it looks like SMU might be the favorite to land him. Jordan Hudson was the Horned Frogs’ best recruit in the 2022 class and he hit the portal after a magical run for TCU. He finished with 14 catches for 174 yards and three touchdowns and although he was expected to replace Quentin Johnston, he’s looking for a new home. Michigan State has reportedly reached out, but nothing has come of it yet.

Milton Wright, Purdue

Milton Wright was a top-160 recruit in the 2019 class and Purdue fans were elated about him potentially becoming the next great wideout in West Lafayette. He caught 18 passes for 288 yards and a touchdowns as a freshman and then 24 passes for 305 yards and two touchdowns in half the games (6) in 2020. Wright then broke out for 57 receptions for 732 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior before being deemed academically ineligible in 2022. Now, he’s a new portal entrant and his size, experience, and production should pique Tucker’s interest. He’s 6-foot-3 and 195 pounds and has 99 career receptions for 1,325 yards and 10 scores.

Alante Brown, Nebraska

Alante Brown is a former Michigan State football recruit who infamously spurned the Spartans before signing day. He chose Nebraska and caught 22 passes for 262 yards, averaging 11.9 yards per reception with the Cornhuskers. Brown is fresh off a career year with Nebraska and took a visit to East Lansing this spring. This could be an interesting option.

AJ Henning, Michigan

This wouldn’t be the first time a Michigan transfer picked Michigan State, but the Spartans will likely have some ground to make up. An early contender to land Henning has been Iowa and that Cade McNamara connection, but Michigan State could sell him on a solid role. The former No. 102 overall recruit in the 2020 class finishing his Michigan career with 25 catches for 198 yards, 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 15 attempts, and he was a return specialist.

Kaleb Brown, Ohio State

Another former highly-touted receiver out of high school, Kaleb Brown was expecting to be the next great receiver at Ohio State, but he played in just four games as a true freshman and caught one pass for five yards. He’s on the smaller side of receivers at 5-foot-10.5 and 195 pounds, but he has the potential to be really good. Iowa got his first visit, however, and the Hawkeyes could be the (shocking) early favorite.