Michigan State football: Receiver transfer finds new home

A Michigan State football receiver transfer has officially found a new home. No, not Keon Coleman, but Cade McDonald.

On May 8, former Michigan State football wide receiver Cade McDonald announced via Twitter his transfer to Miami (OH).

New Beginnings pic.twitter.com/eAlSjf5ZOJ

— Cade Mcdonald (@CadeMcdonald11) May 8, 2023

He was a former walk-on, joining the program in the class of 2019 under former coach Mark Dantonio. The 5-foot-11, 195-pound McDonald, who will have two years of eligibility remaining, played four seasons for the Spartans. Across those years, he appeared in 25 games, catching five passes for 46 yards as well as returning five punts for 43 yards.

At Miami, he will reunite with a former MSU teammate. Defensive back Michael Dowell — who also played four seasons at MSU — transferred to Miami after the 2021 season. Given that Dowell was the RedHawks’ starting safety in 2022, I wouldn’t be surprised to see McDonald start at Miami as well.

Interestingly enough, McDonald also attended Naperville Central High School in Illinois, where he played with Payton Thorne and Jayden Reed. All three players from the high school have now moved on from the program — McDonald to Miami, Thorne to Auburn, and Reed to the NFL.

McDonald never made a massive impact during his time with the program, although he did catch two passes in the Spartans’ 2020 win over Michigan. Considering he was a walk-on, however, he definitely could have done worse. I could definitely see him carving out a role at a smaller program under less pressure. As previously mentioned, Miami now boasts two former Spartans, so the RedHawks could be a team to keep an eye on for fun.

McDonald entered the transfer portal on April 30.