Signing Day: Michigan State Signs One of Michigan’s Best Football Players

Early signings start Wednesday (Dec. 15) in college football, which means Michigan and Michigan State will start putting together their official recruiting classes.

Michigan is expected to sign a class that’s within the top 10 in the U.S., and the Spartans are expected to be in the top 20.

Early on, Michigan State signed one of its biggest commits for the 2022 class with Dearborn Fordson wide receiver Antonio Gates Jr.

Gates is the son of legendary NFL tight end Antonio Gates. He committed to the Spartans back in July, and now, it’s official. He’s ranked fifth amongst all of Michigan’s prospects.

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Connor Heyward #11 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans looks to pass against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the third quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Jayden Reed #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates scoring a touchdown against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Payton Thorne #10 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball against Curtis Jacobs #23 and Kalen King #4 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Brandon Wright #26 and Jacub Panasiuk #96 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the fourth quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates his team’s win against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Payton Thorne #10 and Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate their win against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Jayden Reed #1 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrates the Michigan State Spartans win against Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Jordan Stout #98 of the Penn State Nittany Lions reacts after missing a field goal kick against the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Head coach Mel Tucker of the Michigan State Spartans and Payton Thorne #10 embrace after the win against the Penn State Nittany Lions at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Drew Beesley #86 and Cal Haladay #27 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after making a tackle against the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Parker Washington #3 and Jahan Dotson #5 of the Penn State Nittany Lions celebrate after Dotson scored a touchdown against the Michigan State Spartans during the second quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans runs the ball as Jayden Reed #1 of the Michigan State Spartans blocks Joey Porter Jr. #9 of the Penn State Nittany Lions during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Kenneth Walker III #9 and Blake Bueter #69 of the Michigan State Spartans celebrate after Walker III scored a touchdown during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)

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  EAST LANSING, MICHIGAN - NOVEMBER 27: Kenneth Walker III #9 of the Michigan State Spartans is tackled by Jaquan Brisker #1 of the Penn State Nittany Lions as he scores a touchdown during the first quarter at Spartan Stadium on November 27, 2021 in East Lansing, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)