See which former MSU players signed as UDFAs or received invites to rookie minicamps
NFL Draft Weekend is behind us and we are on to the next stage of roster building. After seeing just one Michigan State Spartan drafted across seven rounds, Luke Newman to Chicago, we have now heard that a number of his former Green & White teammates will still get chances at their NFL dreams.
A trio of Spartans have earned Undrafted Free Agent contracts.
Jonathan Kim – Kicker; Chicago Bears
The first Spartan to sign a UDFA contract after the draft was Jonathan Kim. Cairo Santos has been the Bears kicker for the past five seasons and has been in the NFL since 2014. Last year, he hit 21 of 25 FGs and 25 of 26 XPs. He also was 8 for 9 on 50+ yard kicks. For his career, he has converted on 85% of his FG tries. Jonathan Kim is going to have to really impress to take out the incumbent. In two seasons in E.L., Kim went 32/39 on his FGs, 7/12 from 50+, and is MSU’s all-time leader in FG% at 82.1%
Nathan Carter – RB; Atlanta Falcons
Carter spent two seasons with Michigan State and rushed for 2,280 yards and 12 TDs on 491 carries. He also had 64 receptions for 442 yards and 2 more scores. The existing RBs on the Falcons roster are Bijan Robinson, Tyler Allgeier, Elijah Dotson, Jase McClellan, and Carlos Washington, Jr.
Kay’Ron Lynch-Adams – RB; Carolina Panthers
Michigan State’s leading rusher last season, KRLA accumulated 649 yards and 2 TDs on 133 rushes. It was his only season in E.L. after 5 seasons at Rutgers and UMass. The Panthers drafted Georgia RB Trevor Etienne in the 4th round. They also have Chuba Hubbard, Jonathon Brooks, Rico Dowdle, Raheem Blackshear, and Emani Bailey.
A trio of Spartans have received rookie minicamp invites
Maverick Hansen – DT; Indianapolis Colts
Hanses was with the MSU program since 2019. For his career, he recorded 104 tackles, 9.5 TFLs, and 5.5 sacks. The Colts drafted a DT from Alabama, Tim Smith, in the 6th. They already have five other DTs on the roster including starters DeForest Buckner and Grover Stewart.
Lejond Cavazos – CB; Tampa Bay Bucs
Cavazos played in two games for MSU last year after transferring from North Carolina. He began his career at Ohio State. Looking at his stats from his two previous stops, I am not seeing anything that would warrant an invite to try out for an NFL team. TB drafted CBs in the 2nd and 3rd rounds this year and have a handful of other CBs on their roster.
Khris Bogle – DE; New York Giants
Bogle was the one MSU player I thought had the best chance of being drafted. Bogle is another six-year player, playing three seasons at Florida State and then three more at MSU. In his last year as a Spartan, he had 37 tackles and 4 sacks. The NYG did draft Abdul Carter in the first round, adding him to a roster that also has Kayvon Thibodeaux as well as several other DEs and off-ball linebackers.
OK, TOC. What are your expectations for the six players listed above? Which ones do you think will end up making an NFL 53-man roster? Who will make a practice squad? And are there any other former Spartans you are surprised did not get a call from a pro team this weekend?
4/28: Update
Tanner Miller has been invited to the Las Vegas Raiders rookie minicamp. Miller started all 12 games at center for MSU last season.