Tag: Spartans in the NFL

Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell praises former MSU football WR

Minnesota Vikings HC Kevin O’Connell praised Jalen Nailor following the team’s preseason opener:

Following the Minnesota Vikings preseason opener against the Las Vegas Raiders, Jalen Nailor was given praise by the Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell. In the game, Nailor caught 3 passes for 63 yards and showed the capabilities he has as a big play wide receiver.

After the game, O’Connell spoke to reporters about Nailor and gave his praise for the former Spartan wide receiver.

Watch the clip of O’Connell’s praise for Nailor via the team’s social media:

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Connor Heyward to have larger role in Pittsburgh Steelers offense

Connor Heyward is poised for a larger role in 2024-25 with the Steelers

NFL training camps are underway and things are starting to shake out in terms of depth charts and how players are going to be used in the new season of football. One former Michigan State standout, Connor Heyward, is poised to see an increase in his role in 2024-25.

Heyward is a member of the Pittsburgh Steelers and has found a nice niche for himself as a tight end. The former sixth round pick has already caught 35 passes for 318 yards and a touchdown in his NFL career and those numbers look like they will be increasing this season.

According to a SteelerNation article, Heyward is excited for the larger role that looms in 2024-25:

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Jack Conklin’s Madden 25 rating released

Jack Conklin has a pretty good rating in Madden 25

The release of the flagship NFL video game Madden 25 is being anticipated by fans all over the country, with the excitement building for another step closer towards action on the field resumes. A part of the anticipation is the release of how players are rated on Madden.

One former fan favorite Spartan, Jack Conklin, will be playing his ninth season in the league, along with his fourth with the Cleveland Browns. He has been rated as an 80 overall and the Browns highest rated tackle in the video game.

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Kirk Cousins recovery appears to be going good during Falcons training camp

Kirk Cousins is moving well to start the Falcons training camp

The Atlanta Falcons concluded day six of their training camp as they gear up for the 2024-25 NFL season. One storyline of note is the recovery of former Michigan State QB Kirk Cousins, who is coming off of a torn Achilles injury.

During day six, according to Falcons ESPN beat reporter Marc Raimondi, Cousins took off and scrambled, using his legs, the same legs that the QB says are feeling good as he prepares for the season.

“QB Kirk Cousins took off and ran during a two-minute drill, putting to the test that surgically repaired right Achilles. Cousins got a 6-yard gain on the play with coach Raheem Morris shouting ‘Blow the whistle!’,” Raimondi’s notes on X said. “Cousins said his run probably gave Morris ‘a little bit of a heart attack.’ But Cousins said his leg feels good and his plan of doing the rest of his rehab by simply playing football has been a success thus far.”

Spartan and Falcons fans will be hoping for a speedy recovery and a solid 2024-25 season from Cousins.

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Jayden Reed snubbed by Madden 25

Jayden Reed appears to have been snubbed by Madden 25’s ratings

EA Sports is preparing for the release of Madden 25, the flagship game series of the NFL. As the release date grows closer, ratings will start to get released to tease fans into the excitement of playing the game.

One set of ratings was teased by uStadium, ranking the top 50 wide receivers in the game. The rankings did not feature Jayden Reed, who is coming off of an outstanding rookie season with the Green Bay Packers:

Reed not being rated above an 80 overall feels like a major snub by Madden.

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Michigan State football TE on the NFL’s radars heading into 2024 campaign

The NFL has an MSU TE on their radar heading into the fall:

Michigan State’s new coaching staff landed a home run when they were able to fend off Washington to bring Oregon State transfer tight end Jack Velling over to East Lansing from Corvallis.

Velling has got a lot of praise for his outstanding play in his first two seasons with Oregon State. Now, it looks like the National Football League is taking notice.

A top NFL draft scout, and executive director of the senior bowl, Jim Nagy went in depth on Velling’s impact heading into the fall:

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Former Michigan State football RB Eli Collins gets mini camp invite with Cincinnati Bengals

Eli Collins is getting a chance at an NFL career:

Elijah Collins was a staple of the Michigan State football backfield for several seasons to end Mark Dantonio’s tenure and to begin Mel Tucker’s tenure. While things didn’t work out in East Lansing long term, and Collins had to transfer to Oklahoma State, he is going to get a look in the NFL.

Collins has been invite to a mini camp, rookie tryout with the Cincinnati Bengals, where the University of Detroit Jesuit product will get his chance at a professional career.

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Michigan State DT Jalen Sami gets invite to Miami Dolphins minicamp

Jalen Sami is heading to South Beach

Jalen Sami made the decision to join the Michigan State football program, transferring from Colorado. In his one year with MSU he had 15 tackles, 0.5 tackles for loss and 0.5 sacks.

Now, Sami will be going to South Beach to minicamp tryout with the Miami Dolphins.

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WATCH Nick Samac’s emotional draft call with the Baltimore Ravens

Watch the emotional, and funny, interaction between Nick Samac and John Harbaugh

Michigan State’s lone selection in the 2024 NFL Draft was offensive lineman Nick Samac, who was selected in the seventh round of the draft on Saturday by the Baltimore Ravens.

Thanks to the Ravens Twitter account, we get an inside look at the call that took place between Samac and Ravens’ personnel, GM Eric DeCosta and HC John Harbaugh.

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Former MSU QB Kirk Cousins signs with Atlanta Falcons

Kirk Cousins has a new home:

Kirk Cousins has a new home. The former Spartan and longtime NFL QB has made the decision to move on from the Minnesota Vikings and is signing with the Atlanta Falcons.

The 35-year old QB is getting a 4-year deal to sign with Atlanta. Compensation has not been announced yet.

Cousins has spent 12 seasons in the NFL, 6 with Washington and 6 with Minnesota.

Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes, and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on Twitter @Cory_Linsner.