EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State is one of eight schools in the FBS to land at least two players on the 2025 Biletnikoff Award Preseason Watch List that was released on Wednesday by the Tallahassee Quarterback Club Foundation. The Biletnikoff Award annually recognizes the college football season's outstanding FBS receiver.
Senior Omari Kelly and redshirt junior Chrishon McCray were two of the 47 receivers listed on the preseason watch list. Both Kelly (Middle Tennessee State) and McCray (Kent State) transferred to Michigan State in January 2025 and competed in spring practice for the Spartans.
The Biletnikoff Award's semifinalists, three finalists, and award recipient are selected by the highly distinguished Biletnikoff Award National Selection Committee, a group of 600 prominent college football journalists, commentators, announcers, Biletnikoff Award winners, and other former receivers.
Receivers are frequently added to the watch list as their season performances dictate.
Kelly, who began his career with two seasons (2022-23) at Auburn, was a first-team All-Conference USA honoree as a junior in 2024 at Middle Tennessee State after posting career highs in receptions (53), receiving yards (869) and TD catches (4). He also was a second-team all-league choice as a punt returner (10.4 avg; one TD). Chrishon McCray hauls in a catch during preseason camp.
A two-year starter at Kent State, McCray has two seasons of eligibility remaining after catching 81 passes for 1,315 yards and 13 TDs the past two seasons (2023-24) with the Golden Flashes. He earned first-team All-MAC honors as a redshirt freshman in 2023 with 41 receptions for 610 yards and four TDs, and was a second-team choice in 2024 with 40 catches for 705 yards and nine TDs. The explosive wide receiver ranked third in the FBS with three 60-plus yard receptions last season and tied for eighth with four of 50-plus yards.
Michigan State's 2025 season opener is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 29 vs. Western Michigan at 7 p.m. in Spartan Stadium.
