Michigan State offensive lineman Nick Samac (59) - Mike Mulholland | MLive
Next up in the draft process is the Michigan State Pro Day. This is when players can get one more chance to show off their skills to NFL scouts. They can potentially even improve their draft stock if they impress. The Michigan State Pro Day will take place on March 12th.
Michigan State Pro Day Information
Although no names are confirmed, there are a couple of Spartans to expect during the pro day. As of now, the expectations are that five players will participate. This list will have updates as time goes on if it needs to. Here is a look at the expected players participating in the Michigan State Pro Day, organized by position.
Nick Samac – OL
After five years, Michigan State offensive lineman, Nick Samac is off to the NFL. Samac is a more notable player heading into the 2024 NFL Draft compared to the other Spartans. This class is stacked with offensive linemen, which will probably cause Samac to fall. Samac’s draft projection has him going undrafted. There will be a lot of offensive linemen taken this year. Samac did receive an invite to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine. Expect him to still go quickly after the draft if he is not picked up late by a team he impressed.
Jalen Berger – RB
After four years of collegiate football, running back Jalen Berger is heading to the NFL. Berger spent two years at Wisconsin before playing for Michigan State for another two years. According to Sports Reference, Berger had 257 rushing attempts for 1,165 yards and ten touchdowns in four seasons. He also has had 28 receptions for 198 yards.
Berger is expected to go as an undrafted free agent. He is a solid player, but there are other running backs in this draft that will go higher. The position also does tend to fall in the draft. That being said, he will most likely be taken by a team quickly following the draft and will have the chance to fight for a spot on a roster through the offseason.
Cal Haladay – LB
On the defensive side of the ball is linebacker Cal Haladay. After four years playing at Michigan State, Haladay is headed to the NFL. In his four years, Haladay had 307 total tackles, 122 solo, 21.5 tackles for loss, and three sacks according to Sports Reference. He also has had three interceptions, two returned for a touchdown, three forced fumbles, and four fumble recoveries, one returned for a touchdown.
Haladay is another player expected to go undrafted. He did not receive an invite to the 2024 NFL Combine. This will be his chance to push himself into the draft. His ability to force turnovers will be a reason that the teams push for him, even if it is after the draft.
Jacoby Windmon – LB
Linebacker Jacoby Windmon could also be participating in the 2024 Michigan State Pro Day. He spent five years playing collegiate football. His first three years were with UNLV and then he spent two with Michigan State. In his five years, Windmon had 233 total tackles, 125 solo, 30.5 tackles for loss, and 18 sacks according to Sports Reference. He also defended six passes and had one interception, nine forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
Windmon is an undrafted projection, but his physicality can help him impress teams. The linebacker has a chance to become solid linebacker depth for an NFL team in the future. Using the Pro Day, and what he has shown on the field, he can convince teams of that himself.
Aaron Brule – LB
The final player to expect at the Michigan State pro day is Aaron Brule. Brule spent six seasons playing college football. His first four years were with Mississippi, followed by two years with Michigan State. In six years, Brule had 233 combined tackles, 103 solo, 32.5 tackles for loss, and 17 sacks, according to Sports Reference. He also defended seven passes and forced three fumbles.
Brule is another player expected to be an undrafted free agent. The linebacker is a solid player, just ranked fairly low among the position. Brule is a solid tackler but needs to improve his coverage. This can be costly in short-down situations. Going undrafted, a team can pick him up and this is something that he can work on.
The Michigan State Pro Day will take place on March 12th. The players will also have time to schedule pre-draft visits with various NFL teams. After that, it’s the 2024 NFL Draft. The draft will take place April 25th-27th.
