With the 2024 NFL Draft coming up in April, the draft process has been in full effect.
Dating back to 1936, the 2021 NFL Draft is the only one in which Michigan State did not have a player selected, but the Spartans are in jeopardy of duplicating that for the second time in four years. This offseason, no MSU players were invited to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, and only one — center Nick Samac — was invited to the NFL Combine.
Still, several Spartans are hopeful to land with an NFL franchise, and those players had the chance to perform in front of NFL scouts when Michigan State hosted its pro day this past Wednesday.
Offensively, potential prospects are the O-line tandem of Samac and guard J.D. Duplain. Samac wasn’t able to test at the combine while recovering from injury, but the senior was able to interview with teams and give his measurements. Samac and Duplain were starters for MSU for the last three seasons, giving them enough tape for scouts to evaluate. The Spartans offensive line has struggled the past couple years, with Samac and Duplain both having their ups and downs, but these two were the most consistent of the group. With Samac playing center and Duplain guard, they both meet the size measurements for interior lineman in the NFL. They question remains if they have the athletic ability and strength to make an NFL roster.
The Spartan who is most likely to be drafted is linebacker Jacoby Windmon. Although he didn’t finish either of the last two seasons, the senior has enough tape from his time at MSU and UNLV to show he has the tools to become a pro. Windmon will be questioned about the muscle injury that sidelined him for the majority of the 2023 season and his recovery process. On film, he’ll show his disruptiveness at multiple positions, as he played linebacker and defensive end at Michigan State.
In his college career, Windmon finished with 233 tackles and 30.5 tackles for loss. In 2022, he led the country in forced fumbles, despite only playing eight games. Scouts will measure his speed and size to determine whether he is better suited as a linebacker or edge rusher. Windmon is talented enough to be a Day 3 (rounds 4-7) pick, but has he done enough recently and will he test well enough to be drafted? If not, the senior shouldn’t have trouble signing as an undrafted free agent.
Linebacker Aaron Brule likely won’t get drafted, but is sure to get a rookie camp invite. His leadership and improvement over his time at MSU didn’t go unnoticed, but was hard to see amongst a struggling defense. Brule’s 64 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2023 were career highs, as he played multiple positions similar to Windmon. Brule will have to take a path similar to what former Spartan Ben VanSumeren did this past season — sign as an undrafted free agent and work his way from the practice squad up to making a 53-man roster. VanSumeren signed with the Philadelphia Eagles this offseason.
In addition to the four mentioned above, Michigan State has several other graduates perform at its pro day. These included wide receiver Tre Mosley, tight end Jaylan Franklin, defensive lineman Jalen Sami and Brandon Wright, and defensive backs Chazz Kimbrough and Harold Joiner. It’s unlikely for any of these guys to be drafted, but they gave themselves a chance at earning a camp invite.
It’s no secret that Michigan State’s football program has fallen on hard times, and the lack of sure-fire NFL prospects is a telling sign. The Spartans’ prior coaching staff under Mel Tucker recruited at a high level in recent years, but many of those players are not yet draft eligible. It will be up to the new staff under head coach Jonathan Smith to not only develop the talent currently in East Lansing, but also recruit well to start producing professional players in East Lansing once again.
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