Michigan State undrafted free agent tracker: Wide receiver, linebacker land deals

The 2024 NFL draft is over and only one Michigan State player’s name was called in Detroit.

Fifth-year senior center Nick Samac was taken by the Baltimore Ravens with the eighth pick of the seventh round, No. 228 overall, on Saturday.

Samac was the lone Spartan invited to the NFL Scouting Combine and unable to participate in on-field drills while still recovering from a broken fibula sustained in a Nov. 18 win at Indiana.

The injury didn’t prevent Samac’s name being called on Saturday and meant Michigan State didn’t get shut out in the draft for the second time in three years. The Spartans’ streak of 80 straight drafts with at least one player selected ended in 2021 before they had seven players picked over the previous two drafts combined.

Samac was the only Spartan drafted this year but there were nine others from last season’s roster who participated in the program’s pro day in March in offensive lineman J.D. Duplain, linebackers Aaron Brule and Jacoby Windmon, tight end Jaylan Franklin, running back Harold Joiner, defensive back Chester Kimbrough, wide receiver Tre Mosley, defensive tackle Jalen Sami and defensive end Brandon Wright.

They’ll be looking to sign as undrafted free agents and here’s a roundup of Michigan State players with a shot in the NFL:

Jacoby Windmon, LB

Team: Steelers

Windmon’s final season of college was cut even shorter than Samac’s. The linebacker who spent three seasons at UNLV and the last two at Michigan State suffered a pectoral injury in Week 3 that sidelined him for the rest of the fall. It was the second straight season that ended abruptly for Windmon, who was suspended for the final four games the year before due to his involvement in the tunnel incident at Michigan.

After being a highly-productive player at UNLV, Windmon, 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, made an early splash at Michigan State. He became the first player in program history named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Week three times in one year. Even though Windmon played only eight games in 2022, he led the nation with six forced fumbles and topped the Spartans with 10.5 tackles for a loss and 5.5 sacks.

By appearing in only three games last year, Windmon had an additional season of eligibility remaining. He entered the portal in December and declared for the draft less than a month later.

Tre Mosley, WR

Team: Bengals

As a Pontiac native, Mosley would have been thrilled to hear his name called on stage in Detroit but had to settle for the next-best route. He’s another productive veteran whose final season of college was cut short as he missed the final four games last year because of shoulder injuries.

Mosley, 6-foot-2 and 200 pounds, made 28 starts in 43 career games over five seasons for the Spartans. He finished with 126 catches for 1,464 yards and 10 touchdowns.

A former standout from West Bloomfield High School, Mosley cracked the lineup as a true freshman and was a reliable pass catcher who excelled while lining up alongside future NFL draft picks at receiver. The Spartans didn’t have one last year and he struggled with injuries in an ugly season all around for the team.

Harold Joiner, LB

Team: Colts

Joiner, 6-4 and 215 pounds, landed a minicamp invitation with Indianapolis and now just needs to find a position. He spent the first three seasons of college as a running back at Auburn before transferring to Michigan State in 2021 and bounced between the backfield, safety and linebacker over three years in East Lansing. Although Joiner’s production with the Spartans was limited, he drew attention during pro day by posting a 40-1/2 inch vertical and 11-foot-1 broad jump.

Aaron Brule, LB

Team: Saints

The New Orleans native received a minicamp invitation from his hometown franchise. Brule, 6-2 and 240 pounds, spent four years at Mississippi State and the last two at Michigan State. He finished with 235 tackles, including 32.5 for a loss, 16.5 sacks and three fumble recoveries in 64 career games with 30 starts.