Antonio Gates Jr. of the MSU football team

Just hours before Michigan State's rivalry game against Michigan, a team spokesman said Gates was no longer on its roster. Gates is the son of former NFL All-Pro tight end Antonio Gates Sr., who also played college ball at East Lansing. The reason for the younger Gates' departure is unknown.

The younger Gates' departure is the culmination of a fractured relationship with the program. With minimal playing time and minimal goals during a tumultuous 2023 season, Gates Jr. entered the transfer portal after spring ball in April. He remained with the Spartans during coach Jonathan Smith's first season, but seven games later, Gates is no longer with the program.

Gates was a highly regarded recruit when he joined the Spartans in the 2022 recruiting class. According to 247Sports, he was a four-star recruit coming out of Dearborn Fordson. He was named to the 2021 Detroit News Dream Team after recording 55 receptions, 925 yards and 16 touchdowns as a wide receiver and two interceptions and nine pass breakups as a defensive back.

In college, Gates Jr. struggled to earn playing time. He redshirted his freshman season in 2022 before recording just five catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in 2023. This season, he recorded four catches for 49 yards in the first three games, but has not played since a week three win against Prairie View BIN.