Michigan State’s wide receiver room will look much different in 2026, but one familiar face could be ready to take over as its leader.
Chrishon McCray enters his second season in East Lansing as the Spartans’ most proven returning receiver, and after showing flashes throughout 2025, the opportunity is there for him to become one of the biggest pieces of Michigan State’s offense.
With Nick Marsh transferring to Indiana and Omari Kelly no longer on the roster, targets are available. Michigan State added several receivers through the transfer portal, but McCray remains the player with the most proven production in the room.
For the fifth-year senior, 2026 could be the season where everything comes together.
McCray Showed Flashes in 2025
McCray’s first season at Michigan State didn’t produce huge numbers, but he showed enough to give the Spartans reason to be excited about what could come next.
He finished 2025 with 24 receptions for 330 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 13.8 yards per catch. He appeared in 11 games and made six starts.
Those numbers don’t necessarily jump off the page, but McCray was part of a receiving room that featured several other options.
That’s changing in 2026.
Michigan State needs someone to become its go-to receiver, and McCray has the experience and production to be that player.
We’ve Already Seen What McCray Can Do With a Bigger Role
McCray’s time at Kent State showed that he can produce when an offense makes him a major part of the passing game.
Over his final two seasons with the Golden Flashes, McCray caught 81 passes for 1,315 yards and 13 touchdowns. He earned first-team All-MAC honors in 2023 before making the second team in 2024.
His 2024 season was especially impressive.
McCray finished with 40 receptions for 705 yards and nine touchdowns, showing the ability to consistently create big plays and find the end zone.
That’s the version Michigan State would love to see in 2026.
McCray doesn’t need to suddenly become a completely different receiver. The production has already been there before. The Spartans simply need to put him in position to find it again.
He Could Become Alessio Milivojevic’s Go-To Target
One of the more encouraging developments from late last season was the connection between McCray and quarterback Alessio Milivojevic.
Milivojevic took over as Michigan State’s starting quarterback down the stretch, while McCray began emerging as one of his more reliable options. That connection has carried into 2026, with McCray expected to be one of Milivojevic’s primary targets this fall.
McCray also stood out during Michigan State’s spring showcase, unofficially tying for the team lead with five receptions.
Having that chemistry already established could be huge.
Michigan State’s offense is going through plenty of changes under Pat Fitzgerald and offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan. Having a quarterback and receiver who already showed they can work together gives the Spartans something to build around.
This Is McCray’s Receiver Room Now
The biggest difference for McCray in 2026 might be his responsibility away from the stat sheet.
He’s now the veteran.
Michigan State has brought in Fredrick Moore from Michigan, KK Smith from Notre Dame and Jameel Gardner Jr. from Jackson State, while young receivers like Charles Taplin and freshman Samson Gash are also competing for roles.
There is potential throughout the room, but there isn’t much proven Big Ten production.
That’s why McCray’s presence matters so much.
He has 105 career receptions for 1,645 yards and 16 touchdowns across his time at Kent State and Michigan State. He has played in 32 college games and started 22 of them.
Nobody else in this receiver room brings that combination of experience and production.
Michigan State doesn’t just need McCray to catch passes. It needs him to set the standard for a room filled with players trying to establish themselves.
What Should Michigan State Expect From McCray?
The expectations should be much higher than his 330-yard season in 2025.
McCray has already produced a 700-yard season at the college level, and the opportunity should be there for him to get back into that range.
A season of around 50 catches, 700-plus yards and five or more touchdowns feels like a realistic goal if McCray stays healthy and becomes the featured option Michigan State needs.
He also has the ability to become a reliable third-down target for Milivojevic. At 5-foot-10 and 180 pounds, McCray isn’t going to overpower defensive backs with size, but his quickness and ability to work from the slot could make him extremely valuable in Sheridan’s offense.
Michigan State needs someone who can consistently get open and give its quarterback an easy target.
McCray could be that guy.
McCray Has a Chance to Finish His Career With His Best Season
Michigan State’s receiver room enters 2026 with plenty of unknowns.
McCray isn’t one of them.
He’s produced at the college level, has experience in Michigan State’s offense and already has chemistry with the quarterback expected to lead the Spartans this fall.
Now he gets his biggest opportunity yet in East Lansing.
McCray isn’t walking into the season as another piece of the receiving rotation. He’s walking into it as the veteran expected to help lead the entire group.
