Northwest Wayne News

Wayne State University is preparing for the 2025 football season by previewing each position group over the next four weeks. The current focus is on the wide receivers, with coach Jimmy Hill providing an overview of his unit.

Returning experience at wide receiver is limited, as only 11 percent of last year's receptions are back. Justyz Tuggle, a redshirt senior from Redford, Michigan, and Kristian Kilpatrick, a redshirt freshman from Fenton, Michigan, accounted for six combined catches in 2024. Tuggle had four receptions while Kilpatrick contributed two.

Redshirt freshman Raymond Payne saw action in three games last season but retained his freshman eligibility. Jordan Bell, a redshirt sophomore from Benton Harbor, and Donovan Isaac, a redshirt freshman from West Bloomfield, are both aiming to make their first collegiate appearances this year.

The team has added several newcomers to the wide receiver group. Graduate transfer Angel Carrillo joins from Livingstone College; Ja'Ron Glenn arrives as a junior college transfer from Ventura J.C.; Drew Hickmott comes from the University of Michigan; Michael Jenkins Jr. transfers in from Saginaw Valley State; and Mar'Tavion Robinson joins from Davenport.

Depth will also be provided by freshmen Malachi Evans (Flint), Malek Farha (Ann Arbor), Karter Freeman (Tomball, Texas), Hussein Hamie (Dearborn), Ali Hammoud (Crestwood), Joseph Lattimore (Linden), Cecil Xavier Smith (Lakewood, California), and Bishop Thomas (Mount Clemens).

Fall practice for Wayne State begins Monday, August 11th. Players will report during the preceding weekend. The home opener against the Tiffin Dragons is scheduled for Thursday, September 4th at 6 p.m., marking both the start of the season and Wayne State’s first game at home.

Season and single-game tickets are available through Wayne State’s ticketing portal.

Coach Jimmy Hill said: "We have some returning experience but also a lot of new faces eager to compete. It will be important to see how these players develop throughout camp as we build chemistry within our receiving corps."

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