Michigan State’s NFL pipeline kept moving this weekend, even as Sunday’s roster cuts sent plenty of former Spartans packing.
Across the league, 32 teams trimmed down to their initial 53-man rosters after three preseason games, and a dozen MSU products survived the final wave of camp decisions. That group includes veterans in new places, rookies hanging on, and a few familiar names who have already carved out staying power in the NFL.
Ameer Speed is among the Spartans who made the cut. The former sixth-round pick landed with the Dallas Cowboys after spending last season with the Houston Texans, where he played in two games. Speed has appeared in 17 games so far and is heading into his fourth NFL season.
Montorie Foster Jr. also secured a roster spot, staying with the Seattle Seahawks after grinding his way through camp. Foster became a notable figure on HBO’s "Hard Knocks" series and finished last season on the practice squad for the Super Bowl champions.
The Las Vegas Raiders ended up with three former Spartans on their initial roster. Jalen Nailor is starting over in new colors after four seasons with the Minnesota Vikings, and the Bishop Gorman grad now gets to play in front of the top pick in quarterback Fernando Mendoza.
Kirk Cousins is also in Las Vegas, beginning his fourth NFL team stint after spending last year as Atlanta’s backup and now serving as a mentor to Mendoza. Connor Heyward completes the trio after four seasons in Pittsburgh.
The versatile fullback/tight end caught three passes for 21 yards and one touchdown last year, and he also ran 15 times for 53 yards and two scores in his final season with the Steelers.
Michigan State’s two draft picks from April both made it through to opening rosters. Center Matt Gulbin is with the Washington Commanders after being selected 209th overall, and his arrival helped extend the Spartans’ draft streak to five straight years. Punter Ryan Eckley, taken two picks later, is set for his first NFL season with the Baltimore Ravens after a college career that ended with Big Ten Punter of the Year honors.
Jayden Reed is back with the Green Bay Packers, the only NFL home he has known. He signed an extension in April that runs through 2029, and last season injuries limited him to seven games, where he posted 207 yards and one receiving touchdown on 19 catches.
Kenneth Walker III is moving on from Seattle and joining the Kansas City Chiefs, giving the former second-round pick a fresh start with a team that figures to be in the AFC title mix. He already has a Super Bowl ring.
Jordan Turner kept his NFL run alive with the Denver Broncos. The undrafted linebacker first landed on Denver’s practice squad a year ago, got elevated to the active roster, and played in seven games as a rookie, finishing with seven total tackles.
Luke Newman returns to the Chicago Bears for his second season after appearing in nine games as a rookie. Newman was Michigan State’s only draftee in 2025.
Bryce Baringer is back as the New England Patriots’ starting punter for Year 4. Last season, he averaged 47.4 yards per punt, and 41.2% of his 51 attempts were downed inside the 20-yard line.
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Kenny Soares Jr. is one of the more interesting additions to watch after arriving from NC State and moving from linebacker to rush end, a shift that could help define how Michigan State wants to attack opposing quarterbacks. The fact that teammates also honored him with the No. 1 jersey says something about the early impression he has made inside the program. For a defense trying to turn hype into production, these are the kinds of bets that could matter most when 2026 arrives. [Read more 🡒]