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Michigan State Football: Predicting where prospects go in NFL Draft

By Connor Muldowney

Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) warms up before the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 5, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan State Spartans quarterback Connor Cook (18) warms up before the Big Ten Conference football championship game against the Iowa Hawkeyes at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports /
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Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) prepares for the snap of the ball during the 1st quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 14, 2015; East Lansing, MI, USA; Michigan State Spartans linebacker Darien Harris (45) prepares for the snap of the ball during the 1st quarter of a game against the Maryland Terrapins at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Carter-USA TODAY Sports /

Some predict Heath will be a seventh round pick, but I see him slipping to undrafted free agent status and being signed shortly after to a team looking to add depth. He played in 26 career games with the Spartans, recording 60 total tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 4.5 sacks — all of those numbers coming from the last two years. He can have an impact at the next level.

There might not be anyone more motivated to make some noise in the NFL than senior linebacker Darien Harris. After being snubbed of an invite to the NFL Combine, he showed off at MSU’s pro day, but it still might not be enough. He has to make a name for himself and the best way to do that is to try out for a team in the preseason after signing an undrafted free agent contract. He will play professional football.

Colquhoun is a guy who just recently made a name for himself, but it may have come a little too late in his college career. He struggled in his first couple of games for the Spartans after Vayante Copeland’s injury and then really came into his own at the end of the year. Teams will be looking to sign him as an undrafted free agent, but don’t be surprised if he heads back to his home in Canada to play in the CFL.

Donavon Clark was named a third-team All-Big Ten selection this season, but that still might not be enough to get him drafted. He’s looking at a possible seventh round pick, but I just don’t see that happening. Michigan State had one of its best offensive lines in school history this season and Clark was a major piece of that, but he will likely be an undrafted free agent.

RJ Williamson was one of the most opportunistic Spartans in recent memory, always seeming to be part of a big fumble recovery — such as the one against Baylor in the Cotton Bowl. However, he suffered an bicep injury this season which caused him to miss a good amount of regular season games and that has some scouts worried about health. He’s am aggressive player, but isn’t as athletic as most safeties.

Before the 2015 season, there was talk that Kings could play himself into a draft pick, but off-the-field problems set him back early in the preseason. He had to earn his way back into prominent action and really never reached his full potential. He had 40 catches for 519 yards and five touchdowns, but he might not be much more than an undrafted free agent following the draft. Kings Jr. could potentially earn a permanent spot somewhere.

Unfortunately for DeAnthony Arnett, his time in a Spartan uniform never really lived up to expectations. He’s enormously athletic and has the talent to make a solid wide receiver, but he just couldn’t gain confidence while playing in MSU’s system. The Tennessee-transfer didn’t have much production at MSU, but his measurables may cause an NFL team to take a chance in free agency.

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