Michigan State football had two players selected two picks apart on Day 3 of the 2026 NFL Draft, on Saturday, April 25.
First to go in the sixth round at No. 209 overall was center Matt Gulbin to the Washington Commanders, followed by punter Ryan Eckley to the Baltimore Ravens at No. 211.
But the draft isn’t the only path to a pro football future. Here is a look at other top MSU players and where they landed as undrafted free agents following the 2026 NFL draft.
Jack Velling, TE: Atlanta Falcons
Velling signed with the Falcons shortly after the end of the draft Saturday. In two seasons with the Spartans, the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Seattle native caught 72 passes for 770 yards with four touchdowns after arriving with former coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State. Velling earned third-team All-Big Ten from the media and honorable mention from the coaches in 2025, catching 36 passes for 359 yards with three touchdowns while starting 10 of MSU’s 12 games. That came after catching 36 passes for 411 yards and a score in 2024, and Velling also had 45 receptions for 719 yards and 11 TDs in two seasons with the Beavers.
Malik Spencer, DB
Spencer spent three seasons in the secondary rotation in East Lansing, registering 52 tackles (including three for loss), two sacks and five pass breakups, plus a forced fumble, in 12 games.
Joshua Eaton, DB
Eaton spent just one season as a Spartan, arriving from Texas State (with which he spent two seasons) after opening his college career with three seasons at Oklahoma. As a Spartan, he had 19 tackles and two pass breakups while playing all 12 games.
This story will be updated.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Which Michigan State football players signed as NFL undrafted free agents
Reporting by Chris Solari, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
