Energy Shift: McCray relishes winning culture in Michigan State’s 2-0 start

One of Michigan State's main goals during the 2025 off-season was to improve the wide receiver room, and that is exactly what they did, bringing in two high-profile transfers at the position, including Kent State transfer Chrishon McCray.

After being the number one option for the Golden Flash last season, McCray has worked his way into a new role and has gained comfort with the Spartans. Last season, McCray led Kent State in receptions, yards and receiving touchdowns and received second-team All-MAC honors. This year, in his new role, his production has taken a hit through the first two games with just four catches and 72 yards.

However, McCray is not worried about his numbers and just wants to be a part of a great receiving group.

“I knew coming here I wasn’t going to get the ball every play like (I did) before,” McCray said. “I knew we had weapons in this receiving room and that’s why I came here, to be a part of a dynamic receiving room that we can build off of and play off of each other in. It doesn’t matter who is out there, whether it is me, Nick (Marsh), Omari (Kelly), or whoever, it brings trouble to defenses on who to key in on because we all can ball.”

McCray said that one of the selling points of coming to MSU was how dynamic the offense could be with all of the new additions and returners from the previous group. As he heads into week three of the regular season with the Spartans, he feels they have seen a bit of what being an elite group could look like.

“We have definitely shown glimpses of what we could be,” McCray said. “The more we practice and the more we keep building that connection with (QB) Aidan (Chiles), the more this offense will go.”

McCray joined Michigan State at the end of last season, which gave McCray all winter and spring to adapt and learn his new system. He feels like the more he goes on, the more comfortable he feels in his role.

“I feel like I am pretty mastered with it right now,” McCray said. “We are going to keep adding things and getting better each week, so I just think it’s awesome to learn everything.

While at Kent State, McCray primarily played on the outside. Since coming to Michigan State, he has adjusted to the slot receiver role.