Once upon a time, Detroit native Antonio Gates was committed to Michigan State. His plan was to play both football and basketball for the Spartans, until then-head football coach Nick Saban nixed his hoops dreams. So Gates backed out and eventually became a basketball legend at Kent State, before a 16-year Hall of Fame career with the Chargers.
The Spartans are getting a do-over in the form of Gates' son.
Antonio Gates Jr. committed to play football at Michigan State on Monday. A four-star wide receiver from Fordson High in the class of 2022, he chose the Spartans over Florida, Penn State, Kentucky and Tennessee.
Gates is the No. 8-ranked receiver in the state of Michigan and the No. 45-ranked receiver overall in the class of 2022, according to 247 Sports. He took an official visit to Michigan State last month and praised the recruiting tactics of head coach Mel Tucker and his staff.
"They just did everything right," Gates said via 247 Sports. "It's always stuff outside of sports that they talk to me about, that's what I respect about Michigan State."
Gates becomes the top recruit in the Spartans' 2022 class, which currently ranks No. 7 in the Big Ten and No. 32 in the country.
