Michigan State’s pro day last year was canceled due to COVID-19.
That wiped out the opportunity former Spartans had to impress NFL scouts.
One year later, Michigan State’s pro day is on and scheduled for March 24. It will be a chance for the program’s latest group of NFL hopefuls to work out for scouts and coach Mel Tucker is also inviting those who didn’t get a shot last year.
“Being able to have it this year because we’ve got our protocols in place is going to be huge for our guys that are coming out this year and the guys from last year,” Michigan State director of player engagement Darien Harris said during a videoconference on Tuesday. “Coach Tucker is going to allow the guys that didn’t get an opportunity last year to participate in pro day to participate this year.”
Michigan State had seven players from the 2019 team invited to last year’s NFL Scouting Combine in linebacker Joe Bachie, quarterback Brian Lewerke, cornerback Josiah Scott, receivers Darrell Stewart Jr. and Cody White, defensive end Kenny Willekes and defensive tackle Raequan Williams. The pro day was going to be another chance for them to perform, as well as an opportunity for those who didn’t get a combine invite, including safety David Dowell, defensive tackle Mike Panasiuk, offensive lineman Tyler Higby, linebacker Tyriq Thompson, cornerback Josh Butler and tight end Matt Seybert. However, the pro day was canceled five days before it was scheduled and Michigan State’s first spring practice under Tucker was also wiped out.
The Spartans had two players picked in the 2020 NFL draft as Scott was selected by the Jaguars in the fourth round and Willekes by the Vikings in the seventh. Bachie and Williams were undrafted free agents who finished the season on the Eagles’ active roster while Panasiuk (Panthers) and White (Steelers) closed their rookie year on practice squads. Lewerke waived twice by the Patriots before the season started, Stewart spent time with the Packers and Panthers during the preseason and Higby was waived by the Vikings in August. Other players who closed their career with the Spartans in 2019 didn’t get as much of a look.
“For the guys that stayed in shape, which all of them did – and I don’t have an exact list of those that will be participating but I would assume the Josh Butlers, Tyriq Thompsons of the world, Brian Lewerkes – players that didn’t necessarily get an opportunity last year to land on an NFL team for a long time mainly because they didn’t get a pro day, they’ll have an opportunity this year to compete,” Harris said. “That’s just Coach Tucker being Coach Tucker. He recognizes that it was a missed opportunity for players last year, he means what he says when it’s ‘if you played here, whether you played for me or not, I’m going to do everything in my power to help you out,’ and this is going to be a great way to do that.”
Count Seybert among those thrilled for another shot. In a text message, he said “I wouldn’t miss that pro day for my own wedding.”
Harris was a two-year starter at linebacker for the Spartans and a captain of the 2015 team that won a Big Ten title and reached the College Football Playoff. He spent time in the CFL, as an analyst for the Big Ten Network and worked at Quicken Loans before Tucker hired him last February after taking over the program. That was shortly before the pandemic altered daily life and wiped out pro day, which can be critical for players to get a shot in the NFL.
Michigan State had a trio of players declare for the 2021 draft in redshirt junior cornerback Shakur Brown, senior linebacker Antjuan Simmons and fifth-year senior defensive tackle Naquan Jones. Simmons and Jones declined to use the extra season of eligibility the NCAA granted all fall sports athletes due to COVID-19. ESPN NFL draft analyst Mel Kiper Jr. on Monday said he projects Brown as a potential fourth- or fifth-round pick, Jones as a third-day selection and Simmons as a potential late-round pick or priority free agent.
Michigan State on Tuesday afternoon announced Brown and Jones received official invites to the combine, although it won’t take place this year due to COVID-19 and players will work through testing and drills at pro days. The Spartans haven’t announced a finalized list of pro day participants but this year’s event will be a chance for players from the last two draft classes to get a look.
“I just know that I’m excited for our guys to get an opportunity,” Harris said. “I know how important pro day was for me. Without having it, I wouldn’t have gotten any opportunity to be a professional athlete. For these guys to get that opportunity, it’s going to be a really important for them and I know they’ll be ready for it.”
Scott Aligo, Michigan State’s director of player personnel, is organizing pro day. Before joining Tucker’s staff last year, he worked at multiple colleges and spent seven years in the NFL, working for the Chiefs and Browns.
“The way he’s able to communicate with NFL personnel about our guys is something we’ve never had here before in terms of that process,” Harris said of Aligo. “It’s completely 180 (degrees) from anything we’ve ever had here before in terms of how we’re able to get our guys access to the NFL and just making sure the NFL knows about our players and gets good information on our players. It also, of course, is a benefit to have Coach Tucker, who’s coached in the NFL for years, so he knows all these people as well.”
Related Michigan State football stories:
Michigan State needs to sort out crowded group of tight ends
How Mel Kiper Jr. views Michigan State’s 2021 NFL draft prospects
Arizona transfer CB Khary Crump commits to Michigan State
Michigan State lands commitment from Louisville transfer CB Marqui Lowery Jr.
Curtis Blackwell’s latest lawsuit against Mark Dantonio and others is also dismissed