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Michigan State's Omari Kelly, Chrishon McCray named to preseason Biletnikoff Watch List

IMG_2371by: Kenny Jordan08/06/25
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Michigan State WR Omari Kelly. | Photo by Nick King | USA Today Network

EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State wide receivers Omari Kelly and Chrishon McCray have been named to the preseason watch list for the 2025 Biletnikoff Award. The award annually recognizes the college football season’s most outstanding Division I FBS receiver, regardless of position.

Although the award can be presented to any pass catcher, it’s considered the de facto honor for the sport’s most outstanding wide receiver. It’s been won by a wide receiver every year since its inception in 1994.

Kelly, a senior, and McCray, a redshirt junior, are two of the 47 players named to the preseason watchlist. Both Kelly (Middle Tennessee) and McCray (Kent State) transferred to Michigan State in January.

Kelly (6-0, 188, Sr., Trussville, Ala.) posted 53 receptions, 869 receiving yards and four touchdowns last year at Middle Tennessee after playing his freshman and sophomore seasons at Auburn. He had just five catches for 101 yards in his two seasons at Auburn but had a big year at Middle Tennessee State in 2024, earning first-team All-Conference USA.

“He’s kind of that all-around guy that can do a lot of different things,” Michigan State offensive coordinator Brian Lindgren said. “He can stretch the D, he can win one-on-ones, he’s got a little bit of length. He’s one of those high energy guys, he’s kind of contagious, he likes being around, he’s been really good for that room.”

McCray has spent the past two seasons as a starter for Kent State after redshirting his first year. He’s caught 81 passes for 1,315 yards and 13 touchdowns for the Golden Flashes. He was first-team All-Mid-American Conference in 2023 and second team All-MAC in 2024.

“The thing that jumps out is explosion, man,” Lindgren said of McCray. “Like the ability for a big play, whether it’s a high percentage bubble screen, or an option route underneath, with the ability to catch the thing, make a guy miss, and create a big play. Or if you come up and press him, he’s got the ability to take the top off the defense. So I think we’ve got some fun pieces to move around there.”

Kelly and McCray will be key pieces to the Michigan State offense this season, along with sophomore wide receiver Nick Marsh and senior tight end Jack Velling in the passing game for Aidan Chiles. Redshirt-sophomore Evan Boyd (Central Michigan), redshirt-senior Rodney Bullard (Valdosta State) and redshirt-junior tight end Michael Masunas are expected to also contribute heavily in the passing game.

Michigan State has one previous Biletnikoff Award winner in the late Charles Rogers. He won the award in 2000 before becoming the No. 2 overall pick in the NFL Draft. 

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