While Michigan State football this spring extended its new NFL Draft streak to five straight years with at least one player picked, the Spartans have also shown over the past decade that not getting selected doesn't have to mean the end of the road. Several MSU products have been able to hang around for multiple NFL seasons despite going undrafted, including a few who are on active rosters to begin the 2026 season.
Sunday was a pivotal day on the NFL calendar, as all 32 teams finalized their initial 53-man squads after a trio of preseason games. Many former Spartan greats were sent packing, but a dozen were rewarded with roster spots at the conclusion of training camp.
Below is a rundown of all of the former Spartans who made initial 53-man rosters in the NFL:
**DB Ameer Speed, Dallas Cowboys**
The former sixth-round pick has found a home across Texas, landing with the Cowboys after spending last season with the Houston Texans, playing in two games. Speed has played in 17 games thus far as he heads into his fourth NFL season.
**WR Montorie Foster Jr., Seattle Seahawks**
After becoming a star on HBO's "Hard Knocks" series, Foster grinded his way onto the team after the final stretch of last season on the practice squad for the Super Bowl champions.
**WR Jalen Nailor, Las Vegas Raiders**
Nailor is suiting up in new colors for the first time in his pro career, and it's a return home for the Bishop Gorman grad. He'll have the No. 1 overall pick throwing him the ball in quarterback Fernando Mendoza as he begins his run with the Raiders after four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings.
**QB Kirk Cousins, Las Vegas Raiders**
The longest-tenured NFL Spartan is now suiting up for his fourth team, and after serving as Atlanta's backup last year, he's now being tasked with mentoring Mendoza, the top overall pick in this year's draft.
**FB Connor Heyward, Las Vegas Raiders**
Heyward makes it three former Spartans in Las Vegas, as he joined the silver and black after four years in Pittsburgh. The versatile fullback/tight end caught three passes for 21 yards and one touchdown last year. He also rushed 15 times for 53 yards and two scores in his final season as a Steeler.
**C Matt Gulbin, Washington Commanders**
Gulbin was an immediate upgrade at center for the Spartans last season after transferring in from Wake Forest. He was the first MSU player off the board in April, going to the Commanders with the 209th overall pick to officially stretch the Spartans' draft streak to five years.
**P Ryan Eckley, Baltimore Ravens**
MSU's second and final rookie draft pick, Eckley came off the board two picks after Gulbin after a decorated college career that included Big Ten Punter of the Year honors his final season.
**WR Jayden Reed, Green Bay Packers**
Reed remains with the only franchise he's ever known, and after signing an extension with the Packers in April, he's tied to the team through 2029. Injuries limited Reed to seven games last season, and he posted 207 yards and one receiving touchdown on 19 receptions.
**RB Kenneth Walker III, Kansas City Chiefs**
With a Super Bowl ring in hand, Walker is starting fresh now with the Kansas City Chiefs, who figure to be a championship contender in the AFC. The former second-round pick had spent his entire career with the Seattle Seahawks up to this point.
**LB Jordan Turner, Denver Broncos**
Another undrafted free agent who has managed to stick, Turner got his first chance on Denver's practice squad a year ago before being elevated to the active roster and playing in seven games. He finished with seven total tackles as a rookie.
**OL Luke Newman, Chicago Bears**
MSU's only draftee in 2025, Newman is back for Year 2 in Chicago after appearing in nine games as a rookie last season.
**P Bryce Baringer, New England Patriots**
Baringer returns for Year 4 as the starting punter of the Patriots, who fell to Seattle in last year's Super Bowl. Baringer averaged 47.4 yards per punt last season, with 41.2% of his 51 attempts downed inside the 20-yard line.
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