Center is only former Spartan picked in 2024 Draft
For the entire history of the NFL Draft, there had been at least one Michigan State player selected to go play on Sundays. And then 2021 happened, and after 85 versions of the NFL Draft, the streak was over. Things got back to normal in 2022 and 2023, with big-time names like Kenneth Walker and Jayden Reed both going in round two. Things looked a little dicey in this year’s event, however, as the first six rounds passed without us hearing the name of a single Spartan.
Fortunately, the Baltimore Ravens came along with the eight pick in the seventh and final round, pick 228 overall out of 257, and drafted Nick Samac, who had started at center for MSU for the past three seasons. It is a pick that makes a lot of sense, though one may wonder why the Ravens did not address the interior of their offensive line earlier in the draft; many mock drafts had them addressing this part of their roster in the first two rounds. There is the possibility that the tackle they drafted in round two, Roger Rosengarten of Washington, could slide inside, as some are speculating.
For Nick Samac, though, this definitely feels like an opportunity to make the two-deep, which can certainly be a stretch for a seventh-round pick on a team who had the best record in the league last year. Congratulation are in order for this Spartan. Wishing him a successful pro career.
I will say there is one former Spartan who surprised me by not getting drafted. That is Jacoby Windmon, who was signed by the Pittsburg Steelers as an UDFA. He was arguably the best player on the MSU defense each of the last two seasons, though both of those seasons were cut short, and that may have a lot to do with his name going uncalled.
Here is a list of other Spartans who have received invites by NFL teams after going undrafted:
J.D. Duplain, OL – NY Giants
Harold Joiner III, LB – Indianapolis Colts
Tre Mosley, WR – Cincinatti Bengals
Good luck to all these Spartans as well.
4 months until Spartan football begins!