With rookie minicamps approaching and fall camp not that far away, we’re going to hear the fate of some Michigan State players who are trying to make NFL rosters.
Several Spartan rookies are going to contend for roster spots this offseason much like Nate Carter did last year with the Atlanta Falcons. Michigan State had just two players selected in Ryan Eckley (Ravens) and Matt Gulbin (Commanders) in the 2026 NFL Draft and they’re both likely to make their respective rosters.
However, there are some undrafted Spartans who are poised to make 53-man rosters this fall, and several have been signed following the draft.
Omari Kelly, Jack Velling, Elijah Tau-Tolliver, and Malik Spencer could all make runs at their respective rosters, and now another Spartan has a chance to make an NFL rosters after signing his first pro deal following a rookie minicamp appearance.
Wayne Matthews III was just signed by the Chicago Bears on Tuesday following the team’s rookie minicamp over the weekend.
The Bears signed two vets and two UDFAs following rookie minicamp. pic.twitter.com/pYwRRNJCtF
— Courtney Cronin (@CourtneyRCronin) May 11, 2026
This is a huge achievement for Matthews considering the Bears had 54 rookies at their minicamp, including their seven draft picks, and the Spartan linebacker stood out.
Matthews is one of the undrafted Spartan rookies who I believe can legitimately make their 53-man roster this fall. He’s facing an uphill battle, but the Bears could use a productive linebacker like Wayne who had over 250 career tackles in 47 games. At Old Dominion, he broke out in 2023 with 135 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and three pass breakups.
He then transferred to Michigan State under Jonathan Smith in 2024, totaling just 33 tackles in nine games. Matthews bounced back in 2025 with 73 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. I always thought he was good enough to be drafted, but that didn’t come to fruition.
Matthews joins Omari Kelly as the two Spartan rookies signed to undrafted free agent deals. They’ll both have legit shots to make the roster this fall.
Wayne Matthews III played in the wrong era at MSU
I’m not going to sit here and take shots at Jonathan Smith and his coaching staff, but it just felt like he played in the wrong era of Michigan State football.
Matthews would have been a linebacker that thrived during the Mark Dantonio era. He’s big, athletic, and doesn’t take plays off. He also could have been used more as a pass rusher but finished his two-year Spartan career with zero sacks. If he was born 10 years earlier, Dantonio would have worked wonders with the Old Dominion transfer.
Although he did have 106 tackles and 4.5 tackles for loss over his Michigan State career, those numbers would have looked a lot different under Dantonio — or even under Pat Fitzgerald and Max Bullough complementing Joe Rossi.
I don’t think Matthews has even touched his potential yet. The Bears may have gotten a steal.
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