Top 5 Spartans Aiming for the NFL Big Stage
Michigan State’s historic NFL lineage continues with five standouts vying for draft glory: tight end Jack Velling boasts pro size but needs to refine his blocking; cornerback Malcolm Bell dazzled PFF with top defensive grades and might snag CFL attention if the NFL snubs him; safety Malik Spencer earned a Patriots visit despite no Combine invite; punter Ryan Eckley led the nation in punt average and declared early; and center Matt Gulbin logged a top PFF mark, projecting as a Day 3 pick thanks to his versatility.
You can almost hear Tom Izzo rolling his eyes from afar: “Football players?” But fear not, Spartan Nation—this isn’t another cry for sitting in basketball seats during the NFL Draft. These guys actually measure up in yards and sacks, not three-pointers and elbow shuffles. Sure, the punter sounds like the least glamorous boss at your holiday party, but hey—it’s special teams or bust. And if Gulbin sells you on interior blocking, you’ll forgive us for dreaming of an offensive line rather than the final four. Welcome to the Land of Leg Pads and Lightning Cleats.
Kur Teng: MSU’s Three-Point Indiana Jones
Kur Teng arrived as a heralded shooter, labored through limited freshman minutes, then erupted as a sophomore—playing every game, starting stretches, sinking 38 percent of his threes on volume looks, and sparking excitement with an 18-point, 6-for-8 outing at Indiana. Yet his defensive lapses earned him a public benching pep talk from coach Izzo, who quipped that Teng couldn’t guard his own mother if he tried.
Imagine Indiana Jones swapping his whip for a shooting sleeve, then promptly misplacing his map on the way to half-court defense. That’s Teng—dialed in at the arc, AWOL when the ball swings his way. If he tightens his sneakers and reads the defensive playbook, he could be Spartans’ perimeter savior. If not, he might end up the team’s most entertaining air-guitar shredding bench ornament. Either way, bring popcorn.
Who’s Calling the Plays? MSU QB Pecking Order 2026
After 15 spring practices, Michigan State’s quarterback hierarchy is set: redshirt sophomore Alessio Milivojevic steps in as the presumed Week 1 starter on the strength of late-season heroics; senior transfer Cam Fancher backs him up, bringing portal mileage and occasional helmet malfunctions; true freshman Kayd Coffman snags the third slot with poise and a photographic memory; and redshirt freshman Leo Hannan rounds out the roster, waiting in the wings after a quieter introduction.
Here we have a quarterback buffet: a plucky stud who hates sacks, a journeyman who loses helmets like socks, a brainy newbie with star quality, and a benchwarmer pondering his life choices. One of them will almost certainly get sacked on national TV, and another will throw the season-saving touchdown. Sit back, relax, and place your bets. It’s Spartan football—your emotional support for chaos.
Big Man Hunt: MSU’s Center Quest in the Transfer Wild
Michigan State’s transfer portal haul remains blank—save for center targets. Leading the chase is Anton Bonke from Charlotte, who visited and eyeballed Tom Izzo’s office couch; Washington’s Franck Kepnang offers shot-blocking upside as a seventh-year senior; Cincinnati’s Moustapha Thiam intrigues but may price MSU out; and Aiden Sherrell, the No. 4 center, slipped away to Indiana. The Spartans seek that final big man to round out their roster before deadlines loom.
Behold the Spartan transfer treadmill: the treadmill runs, the coaches sweat, and the only things missing are actual signings. Picture Izzo pacing his office like a DJ spinning prospect tapes, while the rest of the Big Ten shows off their fresh portal playlists. Bonke couchesurfing with Izzo might just seal the deal—or it might just be a restless fan looking for coffee. Either way, MSU fans remain glued to the portal news feed, praying for a giant to fall from the sky.
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