Michigan State football OL drawing interest from multiple NFL teams
The 2024 NFL Draft is right around the corner, beginning on April 25, and Michigan State football has gotten used to having many players selected in the draft over the years. In fact, MSU has only had one year where no Spartan was selected in the draft in its modern history.
However, the Spartans don’t have many options available in the draft this year. Some of that is due to upperclassmen choosing to return for another season in East Lansing, but the lack of elite play on the field has something to do with it as well.
With all that being said, one Spartan, in particular, is reportedly drawing a lot of interest from multiple NFL teams as the draft inches closer.
That Spartan? JD Duplain.
Michigan State dominant guard/center J.D. Duplain has drawn interest from the 49ers, Steelers, Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams, Chiefs, source says @jd_duplain started 47 games and played over 3000 snaps, including 42 consecutive starts. pic.twitter.com/JEScgJB9eK
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) April 1, 2024
Duplain has been a star for Michigan State for quite some time. He was the starting left guard on the Spartans offensive line for 47 games throughout his five year career. This includes starting every single game the last three seasons.
He ended his career with 42 consecutive starts, which is the second most in Michigan State history at any position. His 47 total starts is also the second most cumulative starts for an offensive lineman in MSU history as well. During his career, JD was a three-time honorable mention All-Big Ten selection as well.
The 49ers, Steelers, Cowboys, Seahawks, Rams, and Chiefs are the NFL teams reportedly showing interest in Duplain. This is slightly surprising mainly because he did not receive an invite to participate in this year’s NFL Draft Combine. That doesn’t mean he won’t be drafted, but it does mean he likely won’t be drafted very high. I could see Duplain falling to the later rounds and being selected late on day three of the draft, but if he does happen to go undrafted, I think it’s very likely a team will pick him up as a free agent.
Regardless of if he gets drafted or is picked up as a free agent, making it into the NFL is a big deal. I do believe Duplain has the talent to compete in the NFL, but it’s just a matter of what situation he falls in and what opportunity he gets. If his Michigan State career tells us anything, I think JD Duplain will have a very successful career at the next level.