It took three days, but Michigan State finally had its first player selected in the 2026 NFL Draft as Wake Forest transfer turned All-Big Ten performer Matt Gulbin was selected in the sixth round.
With the No. 209 overall pick in the draft, the Washington Commanders selected Gulbin to contend for their starting center spot. This feels like a great spot for Gulbin because he’ll have a chance to compete for the starting spot right away and he probably feels a little overlooked after falling to the sixth round.
A couple of months ago, Mel Kiper Jr. called Gulbin one of the most overlooked players in the 2026 NFL Draft. He probably wasn’t expected to drop as much as he did, but the Commanders took the opportunity at No. 209 overall to snag one of the steals of the draft to extend Michigan State’s draft streak to five years.
I know that’s crazy to hear after the Spartans had an 80-year draft streak before not having a single player selected in 2021. That was after Mel Tucker’s first season, so it’s not totally on him.
Now, the Spartans are up to five straight years after Gulbin went. There’s still a ton of work to do if they’re even going to sniff that streak again, but I have faith that Pat Fitzgerald is going to at least carry it throughout his tenure.
Michigan State’s recent draft history has been modest
After having an 80-year draft streak broken, Kenneth Walker III started a new on in 2022, going in the second round to the Seattle Seahawks. Four years and one Super Bowl MVP later and Walker is on his second NFL contract, getting paid over $40 million with the Kansas City Chiefs.
That same year with Walker, Jalen Nailor, Connor Heyward, and AJ Arcuri were all selected. Since then, Michigan State has had seven draftees since the start of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Those seven draftees since that last four-man class in 2022 are Jayden Reed, Bryce Baringer, Avery Speed, Nick Samac, Luke Newman, Gulbin, and finally Ryan Eckley.
It’s been a rough few years for Michigan State players in the NFL draft, but I expect that to change. Gulbin and Eckley are a good start.
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