Tag: Spartans in the NFL

Cincinnati Bengals sign former Michigan State Football CB Trae Waynes

In about an hour, the Bengals lost one former Spartan corner in Darqueze Dennard and then signed a new one in Trae Waynes.

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Less than an hour ago on Tuesday, it was announced that former MSU Football cornerback Darqueze Dennard would be heading to the Jacksonville Jaguars. Shortly thereafter, another former member of the Michigan State ‘No Fly Zone’ is on the move. In a funny move, the Cincinnati Bengals are replacing Dennard with his former teammate, signing former Spartan Trae Waynes to a contract, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL.com.

Waynes was a first round pick (No. 11 overall) for the Minnesota Vikings back in 2015, leaving MSU early after his junior season for the pros. The former Big Ten Champion has been productive for the Vikings, so it’s no surprise that he quickly found a new home in the NFL.

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Former Michigan State OL Jack Conklin signs 3-year deal with Cleveland Browns

Former Michigan State great Jack Conklin has signed a lucrative 3-year deal with the Cleveland Browns.

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The COVID-19 Coronavirus outbreak has brought most of the global society to a halt… but not NFL free agency, which has been off to a fast start with a busy Monday that has kept sports fandom entertained. One former Michigan State offensive lineman, Jack Conklin, had a very fruitful Monday, signing a 3-year, $42-million deal with the Cleveland Browns with $30-million guaranteed.

Conklin, who is 25 years old, was drafted by the Tennessee Titans with the 8th overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. He had left Michigan State early after his junior year due to high demand at the professional level, and that bet he made on himself has paid off in spades.

Conklin made First-Team All-Pro back in the rookie season and has been a very solid offensive tackle for the Titans since then. Conklin will cash out on this short, but lucrative deal and then head back into free agency at the ripe young age of 28.

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WATCH: Former MSU Football LB Joe Bachie speaks on suspension, failed drug test at NFL Combine

Michigan State’s Joe Bachie spoke about his failed drug test and subsequent suspension during his NFL Combine interview.

It is quite a strange factoid in MSU Football history that two of their best middle linebackers in the past decade, Max Bullough and Joe Bachie, were both suspended and unable to finish their senior seasons. The reason for Bullough’s suspension, which was called a ‘violation of team rules’, was never officially revealed, despite some rumors. Bachie, on the other hand, discussed his suspension in length today at the NFL Draft, and you can watch the video below.

The video was posted by Angelique Seremtis of The Detroit News:

Bachie’s side of the story is that he failed a drug test due to an over the counter pre-workout. He says that he passed a drug test shortly after his failed attempt and tried to appeal his suspension through the Big Ten but it didn’t go through. Bachie said that after his suspension, he acted as somewhat of an assistant coach and was still with the team at practices and lift sessions.

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Former Michigan State Spartan Garrett Celek retires after eight NFL seasons

Celek spent his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers.

Hit tip to a hell of a career.

Former Michigan State tight end Garrett Celek has announced his retirement after an eight-year NFL career. The 31-year-old Cincinnati native made the announcement on his Instagram page Friday.

“I can’t thank the 49ers organization enough for giving me the opportunity to pursue my dreams and all of the countless relationships I’ve made along the way, especially my tight ends,” Celek wrote on the Instagram post. “Thanks for supplying me with endless stories and memories. Niner Faithful, thank you for cheering me on these past eight seasons. Love y’all. Celektime is clockin’ out.”

Celek went un-drafted in the 2012 NFL Draft, but was quickly scooped up by the San Francisco 49ers. He made the 53-man roster that season and has been with the franchise for his entire career. Known primarily as a blocking tight end, Celek finishes his professional career with 82 receptions, 1,104 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns.

Celek played five games in 2019, but was placed on season-ending injured reserve after re-injuring his surgically repaired back. He told media during Super Bowl week that he was contemplating retirement.

Congrats to Celek for grinding out a great NFL career.

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