Sunday was a big day around the NFL. It was roster trim-down day which meant that hundreds of players across the league who played during the preseason would be looking for new jobs.
That affected dozens of former Michigan State players.
There were the obvious guys who were locks to make rosters like Kenneth Walker III, Kirk Cousins, and Jayden Reed, but there were also some surprise cuts like Joe Bachie and, well, you’ll find out later in the article.
So without further ado, let’s dive into who made the roster and who got cut. Let’s start with good news.
Which former Michigan State players made rosters?
A dozen former Michigan State players — and a handful of guys who transferred from MSU — have made NFL rosters after Sunday’s cut day and there were a couple of surprises in the bunch.
Here are the Spartans who made NFL rosters on Sunday:
- Luke Newman, Bears
- Jordan Turner, Broncos
- Kenneth Walker III, Chiefs
- Matt Gulbin, Commanders
- Ameer Speed, Cowboys
- Jayden Reed, Packers
- Bryce Baringer, Patriots
- Connor Heyward, Raiders
- Jalen Nailor, Raiders
- Kirk Cousins, Raiders
- Ryan Eckley, Ravens
- Montorie Foster Jr., Seahawks
For fun, here are the former Spartans who played for Michigan State but who transferred to end their careers who also made rosters on Sunday:
- Montez Sweat, Bears
- Keon Coleman, Bills
- Derrick Harmon, Steelers
- Germie Bernard, Steelers
Which Spartans were cut on Sunday?
For every Spartan who made a 53-man roster over the weekend, there was one who was cut. Michigan State had 12 guys make rosters and 14 guys who were cut loose.
Unfortunately, here are the Spartans who were cut loose on Sunday:
- Omari Kelly, Bears
- Wayne Matthews III, Bears
- Ben VanSumeren, Bills
- Josh Butler, Cowboys
- Jack Velling, Falcons
- Nate Carter, Falcons
- Quindarius Dunnigan, Jaguars
- Joe Bachie, Lions
- Nick Samac, Panthers
- AJ Arcuri, Rams
- Cody White, Seahawks
- Jacoby Windmon, Steelers
- Naquan Jones, Texans
- Kendell Brooks, Titans
There were plenty of former Michigan State players who made rosters, but the cut players outweighed the roster-makers by one, if you don’t count the former Spartans who transferred before the end of their careers.
Most of these cut/released players will find their way onto practice squads this season like Cody White, Joe Bachie, Ben VanSumeren, Josh Butler, Nate Carter, and Nick Samac. There’s also a prominent former Michigan State star who’s still a free agent as Jack Conklin was released by the Browns in the spring and has yet to sign a new deal.
Michigan State is going to be well-represented across the NFL this season despite all the cuts.
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