On Nov. 29, Kent State Golden Flashes WR Chrishon McCray announced his intention to enter the transfer portal on social media. With two years of eligibility remaining, which landing spots make the most sense for the talented redshirt sophomore?
Where Will Chrishon McCray Transfer?
Since becoming a starting WR in 2023, McCray has been a part of zero FBS wins. In fact, Kent State hasn’t defeated an FBS team since Nov. 26, 2022 — the longest drought in college football.
Despite poor QB play, McCray has led the Golden Flashes as pass catcher in both 2023 (41-610-4 receiving line) and 2024 (40-705-9). However, the 5’10”, 165-pound wideout has clearly outgrown the only FBS program that offered him coming out of high school.
After his junior year, McCray attended an RBs camp at the University of Indianapolis, where Kent State’s former coaching staff took notice. They encouraged him to stick around for the WRs session, and their hunch paid off.
Impressed with his versatility, the Flashes offered McCray a scholarship as a receiver — a move that required him to switch positions for his senior season at Avon High School. Initially hesitant, McCray embraced the challenge and exploded for over 1,300 receiving yards and 18 touchdowns as a senior.
“I knew at the next level I’d be a great receiver instead of a running back because of my weight, so that’s why I made the switch to receiver,” McCray said. “There was definitely a little bit of doubt at first going into my senior year. I didn’t want to play receiver, but as soon as I caught my first touchdown, I started to love the receiver position. It was a 360 change for me.”
McCray redshirted his first year at Kent State, but at the end of the season, the coaching staff and a significant portion of the roster left for new opportunities. Instead of joining the exiting contingent, McCray stayed for a chance to become a starter. After a promising initial showing, he received several offers to enter the portal — offers he declined.
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“He had a ton of schools come after him and try to get him,” Kent State head coach Kenni Burns said in the offseason. “He shows you that there’s still a path for [Group of Five] schools if you can have relationships and if you can be genuine, there’s still people that will stick with you and help you build something. He is two feet down on Kent State, and he wants to do something special here.”
Unfortunately, the Golden Flashes squandered their golden opportunity with McCray in the receiving core, going 0-12 entering Week 14. Instead of suffering yet another loss, McCray opted to sit out the season finale and throw his name into the portal. Which teams could use his services most in 2025 and beyond?
San Diego State Aztecs
Current San Diego State Aztecs head coach Sean Lewis led the coaching staff that initially offered McCray. His up-tempo offense would likely appeal to the receiver, especially with true freshman QB Danny O’Neill entering Year 2 as the starter under center.
McCray would also face little resistance to becoming SDSU’s WR1, as five of the seven leading pass catchers will be out of eligibility after the season.
Indiana Hoosiers
If McCray wants to return to his home state, there’s no hotter program than Curt Cignetti’s Indiana Hoosiers. The school is in the midst of their best-ever campaign in Cignetti’s inaugural season, who came over from the James Madison Dukes.
The coaching staff clearly has an eye for talent in the Group of Five ranks, and McCray would only add to their list of diamonds in the rough.
Kansas State Wildcats
Current Kansas State Wildcats WRs coach Matthew Middleton was likely responsible for discovering McCray as Kent State’s WRs coach/offensive recruiting coordinator. That relationship could attract McCray to the Midwest, along with the opportunity to move up to the Power Five at an elite Big 12 program.
Notre Dame Fighting Irish
The Notre Dame Fighting Irish are the most high-profile program in Indiana, and they’ll need a wide receiver in the offseason. Make it happen, Marcus Freeman.
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McCray’s downfield and slot/outside skill set would allow OC Mike Denbrock to open up the passing attack in what has traditionally been a run-first offense in South Bend.
Ball State Cardinals
While the Ball State Cardinals offer McCray the opportunity to return closer to home and pair up with a rising passer in Kadin Semonza, they currently don’t have a full-time head coach after firing Mike Neu. Thus, they are a longshot option, but one still worth mentioning.
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