Mike Panasiuk came to Michigan State football as part of a loaded 2016 recruiting class that featured four four-star defensive linemen. Unfortunately, only him and Naquan Jones made it past their freshman seasons as we all know what happened to Josh King and Auston Robertson.
The two remaining four-star defensive linemen went on to have nice careers with Michigan State, eventually earning professional opportunities.
Jones spent some time in the NFL where here's currently playing for Jim Harbaugh's Los Angeles Chargers while Panasiuk has been working his way up the ranks, spending last season in the UFL with the St. Louis Battlehawks. Oh, and he's been moved to the offensive line.
Panasiuk has become one of the best offensive linemen in the UFL and it's forced some NFL teams to look at him seriously.
On Wednesday, he was signed by the New Orleans Saints, completing the UFL to NFL journey.
#UFL To NFL: New Orleans Saints Sign St. Louis Battlehawks C Mike Panasiuk
— UFL Newsroom (@UFLNewsroom) August 13, 2025
Read more via @JamesLarsenPFN...https://t.co/dZBgEE4Hya
While Panasiuk still has to earn a roster spot, it looks like his recent workout with the Saints went well because they're willing to give him a chance on the offensive line. It's weird to see him blocking instead of blowing up plays on the defensive line, but he's been an All-UFL performer for a few years now and he's parlayed that into an NFL contract.
This now gives Michigan State fans a reason to tune into some Saints games this season to see if Panasiuk can work his way into the playing rotation up front.
Another Mark Dantonio era star making an NFL roster? No surprises here.