Ex-MSU receiver Hunter Rison heading to Kansas State

Hunter Rison is heading to the Big 12.

The former Michigan State receiver revealed Saturday on Twitter that he is transferring to Kansas State.

Rison, the former four-star prospect from Ann Arbor Skyline and son of former MSU All-American and NFL wide receiver Andre Rison, announced his plans to transfer on Jan. 9, following his freshman season in East Lansing in an effort to “to better myself and accomplish my goals on the field as well as in the classroom.”

Andre Rison revealed his son’s intention to transfer in an interview on “The Drive with Jack” on 92.1 FM in Lansing the evening before, citing an unhappiness with playing time.

“It’s nothing against the program,” Andre Rison said in the interview. “It’s just the system doesn’t fit him and he doesn’t fit the system, evidently, because he was told he could play one position and that was the slot, and he came in early and competed for it. The one thing we’re not afraid of is competition, but if say you’re gonna try and find ways to get him on the field — and I’m at every game and continue to watch, and I would never, ever tell coach how to coach or do his job — but I’m watching my son on the sidelines and it’s third down and we got tight ends in the slot. I’m watching, it’s a passing situation and we’ve got running backs at the wideout and my son is on the bench for three quarters.”

Hunter Rison became one of 13 true freshmen to play this season for the Spartans, appearing in 12 of 13 games. He had 19 catches for 224 yards.

Rison ranked fourth among receivers in catches, behind junior Felton Davis (55), sophomore Darrell Stewart (50), and freshman Cody White (35). All are expected to return next season for the Spartans, who finished 10-3 and No. 15 in the final Associated Press rankings.

As a transfer, Rison will have to sit out next season at Kansas State. The Wilcats are coming off an 8-5 season, including 5-4 in the Big 12, capped by a 35-17 victory over UCLA in the Cactus Bowl.

Rison was the first of two MSU receivers who transferred following the season. Former West Bloomfield standout Trishton Jackson announced his plans to transfer following his sophomore season, landing at Syracuse.

Quarterbabck Messiah deWeaver also announced he’s transferring from MSU to East Mississippi Community College.