Michigan State has added another wide receiver through the portal, picking up a commitment from Valdosta State transfer Rodney Bullard on Thursday evening.
Bullard currently has one year of eligibility remaining, but there is a possibility of a second year being there with a waiver. His commitment comes after a quiet visit to East Lansing on Jan. 5 and Jan. 6.
The Albany, Georgia native has been an extremely productive receiver at the Division II level and has the chance to become a real big-play threat with the Spartans. This past season, he pulled down 42 catches for 1,001 yards and 12 touchdowns. That is good for 23.8 yards per catch.
In addition, Bullard was the top receiver on a program that wins a lot. Valdosta State went 13-1 this past season and the lone loss was in the D-II national title game to Michigan’s own Ferris State.
During VSU's 14 games in 2024, Bullard recorded four games of at least 100 receiving yards and had a catch of greater than 40 yards in eight different games.
The year prior was also productive. Bullard had 43 catches for 566 yards and seven touchdowns during the 2023 season, helping Valdosta State to a 12-2 year and an appearance in the quarterfinals. Another thing Bullard provided that year was kick return ability. He returned 16 kicks for a total of 397 yards (24.8 yards per return), taking one back 99 yards for a score against West Georgia.
The 6-foot, 170-pound Bullard has posted an impressive 40-inch vertical jump and an impressive 11-foot broad jump.
Now, Bullard will make the jump from the Division II level all the way to the Big Ten. He will join a transfer-laden wide receiver room led by wide receivers coach Courtney Hawkins that features new guys Chrishon McCray, Omari Kelly and Evan Boyd. Sources tell Spartans illustrated that MSU is expected to stop here in terms of recruiting wide receivers through the portal.
In addition to the incoming transfers at the position, Michigan State returns wide receivers Nick Marsh, Alante Brown, Jaylan Brown, Austin Clay and others. The Spartans are also bringing in true freshmen to the position in three-star prospects Braylon Collier (signed), Charles Taplin (signed) and Bryson Williams (currently unsigned), as well as preferred walk-on Nicholas Hardy.
As for the overall picture, Michigan State’s transfer portal class now stands 15 strong again. That number briefly fell to 14 after the Spartans lost tight end Mason Mini’s commitment to Cal on Wednesday.
Currently, it is not certain if MSU will try to get another tight end in the winter window or wait until the portal opens again after spring ball from April 16 to April 25. During that spring window, the current expectation is that MSU will also look to address the cornerback, rush end and safety positions.
To keep up with all of the Michigan State transfer portal activity, please view the Spartans Illustrated transfer portal tracker.
