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Michigan State wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr. officially withdrew from the transfer portal on Friday, according to Pete Nakos of On3.com.
The son of former eight-time Pro Bowl tight end Antonio Gates initially entered the portal on Monday, although he’ll be returning to the Spartans in 2024.
After redshirting as a freshman in 2022, the 20-year-old appeared in all 12 games during the 2023 season. Although he spent most of his time with the Spartans’ special teams unit, Gates still hauled in five receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown.
With dual-threat quarterback Aidan Chiles expected to start under center after he transferred from Oregon State in Dec. 2023, Gates should have a larger offensive role in 2024. While Montorie Foster led Michigan State with 43 receptions for 576 yards in 2023, the rest of the team’s receiving corps is mostly unproven.
Although Gates did not participate in offseason scrimmage activities with the Spartans prior to his initial decision to transfer, he impressed wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins in spring training drills.
“He has flashed,” Hawkins said, per Nakos. “He shows the ability to win deep, to win intermediate. I just think he’s taken a couple years to kind of figure college ball out and everything that it takes to be a college athlete, student-athlete. And I think things are finally slowing down for him, and he’s showing up. If he continues to play like he’s playing, he’s gonna compete for playing time in the fall. He’s had a really good spring.”
With Gates returning to Michigan State, new head coach Jonathan Smith will look to improve upon the team’s 2023 record of 4-8.
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