Category: Spartans in the NFL

Former MSU football TE Matt Seybert signs with Los Angeles Chargers

After a long journey, former Michigan State tight end Matt Seybert will finally get an opportunity to play in the NFL.

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The long saga of former Michigan State football tight end Matt Seybert’s NFL journey isn’t over, but it does have an exciting new chapter. On Friday, it was announced that the former MSU pass catcher has signed with the Los Angeles Chargers, the culmination of a lot of determination and hard work from the Spartan.

Here is a recap of Seybert’s journey:

Seybert’s journey is really just getting started as he finally gets his shot to impress an NFL team and make their final roster.

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WATCH: First look at Naquan Jones in Tennessee Titans camp

We have our first look at Naquan Jones in camp with the Tennessee Titans.

Naquan Jones might not have been drafted this year, but the Michigan State football alum still found his way onto an NFL roster and is currently in camp with the Tennessee Titans.

Below, we get a first look at Naquan running drills in camp:

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Le’Veon Bell clarifies, doubles down on comments about Andy Reid

Le’Veon Bell clarified and added more perspective to his divisive comments about Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

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Le’Veon Bell has long been a divisive player in the NFL, since his days holding out for a contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Now, Bell has NFL fans riled up yet again after he made some viral comments on social media about Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid. Bell said that he would rather retire than play for Reid again in his career. which sparked a ton of debate, criticism, and more divisiveness online.

On Sunday, Bell both clarified and doubled down on his comments about Reid on Twitter:

“I said what I said & I don’t regret at all what I said,” Bell wrote. “For those who have a PERSONAL PROBLEM with me because of what I SAID, that’s fine…you have your right! just understand I ALSO have MY RIGHT for how I feel about MY PERSONAL problem with dude because of what HE SAID to me.”

“I’m not about to get all into depth on why I feel the way I do, but I have my right to feel the way I feel,” Bell continued. “The ONLY thing I would change is commenting how I really felt on social media… I’ll admit that’s somethin’ I could’ve and should’ve kept to myself & I apologize about that and that only… but I don’t regret what I said, because that’s how I feel.”

“So you can love me or hate me, I’m gonna be fine regardless,” Bell concluded. “I’m just giving you a small version from my point of view on why I said what I said …”

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Former MSU RB Le’Veon Bell says he’d rather retire than play for Andy Reid again

This weekend, Bell stated in an Instagram comment responding to a fan that he’d “never play for Andy Reid again” and would “retire first.”

Former Michigan State running back Le’Veon Bell has never been afraid to speak his mind or create some controversy, and he’s doing that once again. This time voicing his displeasure with Kansas City Chiefs head coach Andy Reid.

This weekend, Bell stated in an Instagram comment responding to a fan that he’d “never play for Andy Reid again” and that he’d “retire first.”

It’s unclear why Bell had these harsh words and opinions towards Reid, but it could be in relation to his limited role with the Chiefs this past year. Bell was signed by the Chiefs in mid-October this past season, and appeared in nine games. However, he never had a major role in the Chiefs offense and that was even more diminished during the postseason.

Click on the tweet below to see the full details on Bell’s latest controversial comments:

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Former Spartan WR Bennie Fowler signs with San Francisco 49ers

Former Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Bennie Fowler is heading to the Bay Area.

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Former Michigan State Spartans wide receiver Bennie Fowler is heading to the Bay Area.

Fowler — who starred for Michigan State from 2010 – 2013 — has signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers. Fowler played for the New Orleans Saints this past season.

The 49ers will be Fowler’s fourth NFL team in his career, previously playing for the Denver Broncos, New York Giants and New Orleans Saints.

Fowler has appeared in 68 career games across seven seasons in the NFL. He has 97 career receptions for 1,101 yards and six touchdowns.

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Former Michigan State DL Malik McDowell signs with Cleveland Browns

Former Spartan Malik McDowell, who has been out of the NFL since 2018, has signed with the Cleveland Browns.

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For Michigan State football fans who were disappointed about the NFL draft, we have a positive story for you. Malik McDowell, the former Spartan defensive tackle who was drafted by the Seattle Seahawks in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft, has been signed by the Cleveland Browns.

McDowell’s story has been a sad one for Spartan fans to watch these past few years, after he had some issues with the law that led to him leaving the NFL in 2018. In March, his agent said that McDowell was looking for a return to the league and just two months later he found this opportunity with the Browns, where he will join fellow Spartan Jack Conklin.

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UM assistant coach mocks snapping of MSU’s NFL Draft streak, fans respond in droves

The fire is always burning in the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry — even in the middle of the offseason.

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The fire is always burning in the Michigan-Michigan State rivalry — even in the middle of the offseason.

Michigan State’s impressive 80-year streak of having at least one player selected in the NFL Draft ended on Saturday, and those who support the maize and blue were quick to jump on social media to mock the Spartans. That included Michigan football assistant coach Ryan Osborn.

Osborn shot off a trolling tweet shortly after the 2021 NFL Draft ended with a screenshot of an article on Michigan State’s draft streak coming to an end. The tweet read “Hate to see it… #GoBlue” — you can see the exact tweet below:

This shot by Osborn obviously didn’t sit well with those who support the green and white, and was met with some quick responses noting one thing Michigan State still has over their in-state rivals — ole Pauly B currently in their trophy case.

Here are just some of the responses Osborn’s tweet got from fans and media members:

Osborn joined the Michigan staff this offseason so he wasn’t with the program when the Spartans topped the Wolverines on Oct. 31 at the Big House. So maybe he was unaware of that result because quite frankly it’s hard to troll a program that just beat you despite being a heavy underdog. This, of course, was under new head coach Mel Tucker who had spent less than two months of practice with his team due to COVID-19 and lost to lowly Rutgers the week before…

Either way, there’s nothing wrong with poking the bear and it’s always fun having a little bit of extra fuel tossed on this already very heated rivalry. Osborn just better hope things go better for his Wolverines this year — otherwise the Spartans’ faithful will surely not let him hear the end of this in late October.

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Michigan State DT Naquan Jones signs with Titans as undrafted free agent

Michigan State defensive tackle Naquan Jones is heading to the Music City.

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Michigan State defensive tackle Naquan Jones is heading to the Music City.

Shortly after the 2021 NFL draft concluded, Jones signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent. Jones is the second Spartan to sign with an NFL team following the draft.

Jones was projected as a late-round pick, so it doesn’t come as a total surprise he went undrafted and was quickly picked up by a team following the draft.

Jones appeared in 46 career games at Michigan State and recorded 78 tackles, including 12.5 for loss and three sacks.

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Former Michigan State QB Brian Lewerke to play in The Spring League

Brian Lewerke will suit up for the Alphas of The Spring League on May 6th.

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If you have missed getting to see Brian Lewerke play quarterback, you are in luck. The former Michigan State QB will be suiting up in The Spring League, a developmental league that started in 2017.

He will be playing for the Alphas under head coach Peter Vaas. Play begins on May 6 when the Alphas play the Aviators at 7pm ET on FS1.

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Lewerke will look to improve and also get a chance to impress NFL scouts as he continues to look for a place to stick in the NFL. The former Spartan spent some time last year with the Patriots, but league rules around COVID-19 made it difficult on players like Lewerke to stay on a roster.

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