Mike Panasiuk gets NFL opportunity with Indianapolis Colts

Michigan State football has players from several different eras represented across the professional football landscape.

From the NFL to the UFL among other leagues, the Spartans have great representation. That is no different for former Spartan defensive lineman Mike Panasiuk.

Panasiuk played in the green and white from 2016-2019. He can be fondly remembered for his interception return for a touchdown at Yankee Stadium in the 2019 Pinstripe Bowl. He and his brother Jacub were key contributors in their respective Spartan careers, but neither one really got a shot in the NFL.

Mike never gave up on his professional football career, and found a home with the St. Louis Blackhawks originally in the XFL, before that league merged with the AFL to form the United Football League.

The only difference for Mike was he made a name for himself on the offensive side of the ball. That's right Panasiuk made the switch to the center position and had a very successful run snapping the ball to former Alabama quarterback AJ McCarron.

His strong performances in both 2023 and the 2024 season earned him all-league honors. All that hard work appears to have paid off for Panasiuk, as the Indianapolis Colts officially announced his signing this week.

Panasiuk becomes the sixth Battlehawk player to sign with an NFL team this offseason. To think this comes on the brink of the final week of preseason games feels like he may have a shot to make the Colts roster.

With several injuries on the Colts' offensive line, Panasiuk appears to be a perfect signing. Though making the long journey from the UFL may be uncommon, Mike is ready to prove his worth and is a great depth piece for trying to keep Anthony Richardson healthy this season.

Glad to see you still out there representing the green and white, Mike. You were fun to watch while at Michigan State, and I certainly hope you get a better shot this time around. The Colts got a good one.