Jackson State transfer and Detroit native Jameel Gardner Jr. commits to Michigan State
The former Cass Tech standout previously played for Jackson State and Kent State. Learn more about Gardner.
Michigan State is bolstering its wide receivers room with the addition of veteran Jackson State transfer wideout Jameel Gardner Jr. Gardner announced his pledged to the Spartans on Saturday, via Instagram, following an official visit to MSU over the weekend.
Gardner was in East Lansing to watch Michigan State's "Spring Showcase," event, which served as the 15th and final spring practice for the Spartans, and was the first opportunity for fans to watch the 2026 team compete.
A Detroit native, Gardner attended Cass Technical High School during his prep career. He was a three-star recruit out of high school in the class of 2022, according to 247Sports. He was a second-team All-State selection and an All-Region honoree.
Gardner is represented by Autumn Seldon, CEO and founder of MET Agency Sports, LLC.
Most recently, the 6-foot-1,186-pound Gardner played two seasons at the FCS level with Jackson State. In 2025, he produced 32 receptions for 483 yards (15.09 yards per reception) and two touchdowns.
According to Pro Football Focus, Gardner played 699 offensive snaps for the Tigers in 2025, and recorded an offensive grade of 63.1 and a receiving grade of 63.7. He played almost exclusively on the outside, with 685 snaps coming while lined up out wide. He also played 14 snaps in the slot and two snaps on special teams last season.
In total Gardner recorded 44 receptions for 628 yards (14.3 yards per catch) and three touchdowns across 22 games with Jackson State.
He started his collegiate career at Kent State. After not seeing game action as a true freshman in 2022, Gardner tallied 24 receptions for 298 yards (12.4 yards per reception) and a touchdown in 2023 with the Golden Flashes.
According to Seldon, Gardner was also expected to take an official visit with Kent State for a possible return there, but he will no longer make that trip. Gardner will instead play at Michigan State in 2026.
Gardner will have one season of collegiate eligibility remaining.
With the Spartans, Gardner will play his final year of college football under head coach Pat Fitzgerald, offensive coordinator Nick Sheridan, wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins, assistant wide receivers coach Dom Spalding and the rest of MSU's staff.
MSU's wide receivers group in 2026 includes Gardner, Chrishon McCray, Rodney Bullard (pending a waiver approval from the NCAA), KK Smith (Notre Dame transfer), Fredrick Moore (Michigan transfer), Charles Taplin, Braylon Collier, Bryson Williams, Samson Gash (true freshman), Rai'Shawn Elmore (true freshman), Zach Washington (true freshman) and others.
