Category: Spartans in the NFL

Michigan State football to be featured in Madden 22

Play as Michigan State, with MSU legends, on Madden 22

EA Sports has released the newest version of their NFL video game franchise, Madden, with Madden 22. As we have seen in recent years, there has been a push to feature certain universities in the game.

After being featured in last years’ game, Michigan State has made the cut once again, and in a bigger fashion.

With Madden releasing a new Campus Legends game mode, players can play as Michigan State featuring a roster of the great players that have come through the program and into the NFL.

Michigan State is one of ten schools, featured with Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, USC, LSU, Clemson, Oregon, Miami and Florida, as members of the Campus Legends series.

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Former Michigan State football CB Darqueze Dennard placed on IR

Darqueze Dennard’s season is over after being placed on IR

Darqueze Dennard’s season is over after being placed on IR by the Arizona Cardinals on Monday afternoon. It is unknown at this time what injury he has suffered.

Dennard was a standout cornerback at Michigan State from 2010-2013 before getting drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft by the Cincinnati Bengals.

Dennard spent 2014-2019 with the Bengals before signing a one year deal with the Atlanta Falcons this past season, and most recently signing with the Arizona Cardinals.

Spartan nation is sure to wish Dennard a speedy recovery.

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Malik McDowell is impressing the Cleveland Browns

Malik McDowell is impressing the Browns during training camp thus far

Malik McDowell was a big time recruiting win for Mark Dantonio, and was a big part of the MSU defense for his time in East Lansing.

The former five-star recruit was a second round pick for the Seattle Seahawks in the 2017 NFL Draft. A couple of off the field incidents kept McDowell from ever seeing the field with Seattle.

Fast forward to now, McDowell is attempting to make a return to the NFL and is making the most of his effort. The Cleveland Browns signed McDowell to a training camp deal, and McDowell is making the most of it.

McDowell would provide much needed depth to an already really good defensive line in Cleveland. It would be nice to see this former Spartan succeed at the next level.

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WATCH: Brian Lewerke throws TD in first preseason game with the New York Giants

WATCH: Brian Lewerke throws TD in first preseason game with the New York Giants

Brian Lewerke has another shot at an NFL career with the New York Giants, and it couldn’t have started much better than how things went this Sunday.

Lewerke tossed a touchdown pass to David Sills in the fourth quarter to mark the beginning of a new chapter with the Giants.

You can watch it below:

Former Michigan State TE Matt Seybert signs with LA Chargers

Former Michigan State TE Matt Seybert is back with the LA Chargers after being waived earlier this week

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Former Michigan State tight end Matt Seybert is back with the Los Angeles Chargers.

Seybert was waived by the Chargers earlier this week, but on Saturday was resigned by the team. Seybert has been with the Chargers for most of the offseason and into training camp.

Seybert played for Michigan State from 2017 – 2019 and appeared in 20 career games.

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Former Michigan State football QB Brian Lewerke signs with New York Giants

Former MSU QB Brian Lewerke has signed with the New York Giants

Brian Lewerke patrolled the Michigan State backfield for three seasons, leading the Spartans to over 24 wins including a Holiday Bowl and Pinstripe Bowl title.

Lewerke went undrafted in the 2019 NFL Draft, but signed with the New England Patriots, where he spent preseason and part of the regular season.

This past offseason, Lewerke participated in a new football league, dubbed The Spring League, to gain exposure in front of NFL scouts. Lewerke’s performance in the league may have payed off.

Lewerke has agreed to a deal to join the New York Giants. Details of the contract were not disclosed.

Spartan fans will be cheering Lewerke on in his journey to try and make an NFL roster.

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WATCH: Justin Layne snags a key interception against the Eagles

Justin Layne had a key interception in the Steelers win over the Eagles

The Pittsburgh Steelers defeated the Philadelphia Eagles 24-16 on Thursday night in an NFL preseason affair.

A key moment in the third quarter saw the Steelers down 16-14 with the Eagles driving into their territory. Former Michigan State cornerback Justin Layne had the stopper, and the momentum shifter.

A 2nd and 8 pass from Nick Mullens was jumped by Layne and intercepted and returned to the 50 yard line. The Steelers would score the go-ahead and game-winning touchdown on the ensuing drive.

You can watch Justin Layne’s interception here:

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Former Michigan State football WR Cody White impresses in Steelers preseason game

Cody White had a solid preseason game against the Eagles

Former Michigan State wide receiver Cody White went undrafted in the 2020 NFL Draft. He had a brief stint with the Denver Broncos before getting a more stable reserve role with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Now, heading into his second year in the league, White is looking to push his way up depth charts. Strong preseason performances is the best chance for White to earn a spot in the lineup, and he did just that Thursday night against the Philadelphia Eagles.

White finished with a solid stat line, catching 5 of his 6 targets for 39 yards.

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Former Spartan Shilique Calhoun signs deal with San Francisco 49ers

Former MSU DE Shilique Calhoun has a deal with the San Francisco 49ers

Former Michigan State defensive end Shilique Calhoun has inked a new deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Calhoun is receiving a one year contract to join the Niners defensive line.

Calhoun was a standout end at Michigan State, a 3 time all-Big Ten selection, and 2 time Big Ten champion. Calhoun turned that into becoming a third round pick for the then Oakland Raiders.

Calhoun spent three seasons with the Raiders, before signing with the New England Patriots, where he spent the past two seasons.

In his NFL career, Calhoun has racked up 56 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 3 forced fumbles.

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Two former Michigan State football players now together in NFL

Two former Spartans are now teammates at the next level

Michigan State football is known as a brotherhood, and is cited as being one of the best family atmospheres in all of the country.

It is always great to see former Spartans move on to the NFL, and more importantly succeed in the NFL, but it is even cooler to see two Spartans link up in the NFL together.

In the case of Michigan State, they are bringing an old TE room straight into the NFL.

Matt Sokol has been a member of the Chargers since 2019 when he signed there as an undrafted free agent. Matt Seybert is now getting his chance to show off what he can do.

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