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The bittersweet day of roster cuts occurred on Tuesday across the NFL. Let’s take a look at which former Michigan State Spartans made the initial 53-man rosters
Of course, things are subject to change as teams can still finalize their rosters by making waiver claims or picking up free agents, and will soon add players to practice squads.
As of press time, though, the following Spartans are part of NFL 53-man rosters or on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list. The following players are listed in no particular order.
QB Kirk Cousins – Atlanta Falcons
The former Spartan great enters his 14th season in the NFL and second with the Atlanta Falcons. He’ll begin the season as a backup for the first time in about a decade after being benched last year to rookie Michael Penix Jr. Cousins is a four-time Pro Bowler and has thrown for 42,979 yards and 288 touchdowns in his career.
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Kirk Cousins. Credit: Jeffrey Becker-Imagn Images
OT Jack Conklin – Cleveland Browns
Conklin has carved out a really nice career as a tackle since being drafted eighth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft by the Tennessee Titans. He’s currently listed as the starting right tackle for the Browns going into his 10th season. Conklin is a two-time All-Pro selection.
WR Cody White – Seattle Seahawks
White caught a touchdown pass in the Seahawks’ final preseason contest against the Green Bay Packers, and did enough to earn a spot on the 53-man roster in Seattle. He was an undrafted free agent out of the 2020 class and has recorded eight receptions for 79 yards throughout his NFL career.
LB Joe Bachie – Indianapolis Colts
A former fan favorite in East Lansing, Bachie enters his sixth season in the NFL and first with the Colts. He spent the last four seasons in Cincinnati where he recorded 48 tackles in 51 total games for the Bengals.
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Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Joe Bachie looks on during a game on Oct. 17, 2022. (Rey Del Rio / Getty Images)
DL Naquan Jones – Los Angeles Chargers
Jones had a strong preseason and made the Chargers 53-man roster under head coach Jim Harbaugh. Jones enters his fifth season in the NFL in 2025. He was signed as an undrafted free agent in 2021 and has spent the last two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals, playing in 16 total games. He also previously played for the Titans. Jones has recorded 89 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks in 48 games played.
RB Kenneth Walker III – Seattle Seahawks
Walker’s legendary 2021 season in Green and White cemented his legacy and Michigan State put him on the map as an NFL player, and the Seahawks took him in the second round of the draft in 2022. After an injury-riddled 2024 season, Walker will once again be the lead back in Seattle going into his fourth season. In 41 career games, Walker has rushed 600 times for 2,528 yards and 24 touchdowns, while adding two receiving touchdowns.
WR Jalen Nailor – Minnesota Vikings
“Speedy” Nailor has been a steady contributor for the Vikings since being drafted in the sixth round in 2021. With the three-game suspension of fellow wide receiver Jordan Addison, Nailor should have an even larger role to begin this season. In 38 NFL games played, Nailor has recorded 40 receptions for 622 yards and seven touchdowns.
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Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
TE/FB Connor Heyward – Pittsburgh Steelers
Heyward was drafted to his brother’s (Cameron Heyward) team in the sixth round of the 2022 NFL Draft. Since then, he’s been a high-level contributor on special teams for the Pittsburgh Steelers and a versatile player who can play fullback and tight end. The younger Heyward has scored two career touchdowns.
WR Jayden Reed – Green Bay Packers
Reed has been very productive in Matt Lafleur’s offense since entering the league in 2023 with the Green Bay Packers. Reed, who was a second-round draft pick, has dealt with some injuries during the preseason, but is expected to start at wide receiver and also likely as a punt returner for the Packers if healthy in 2025. In two NFL seasons, Reed has recorded 1,650 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns, in addition to three rushing scores.
P Bryce Baringer – New England Patriots
Baringer, a consensus first-team All-American during his college career, was an elite punter at MSU and has brought the same level of excellence to New England on special teams. He averaged the fourth most yards per punt (49.8) in 2024, which was just his second season in the NFL.
FB Ben VanSumeren – Philadelphia Eagles
VanSumeren transitioned to a full-time full back and special teams ace last year for the world champion Philadelphia Eagles before suffering a season-ending knee injury. He began his career as a linebacker when he was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Eagles in 2023, which is the same position he played for the Spartans. His brother, Alex VanSumeren, is currently a starting defensive tackle for the Spartans.
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Ben VanSumeren was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Philadelphia Eagles following the final day of the 2023 NFL Draft on Saturday. (Photo by Getty Images).
CB Josh Butler – Dallas Cowboys
Butler has been absent from training camp as he recovers from his ACL injury he suffered late last season and is currently on the Physically Unable to Perform (PUP) list, meaning he will miss at least the first four games of 2025. The defensive back signed with Dallas in 2023 following a stint in the USFL and was later cut from the 53-man roster before being signed to the practice squad that year. In 2024, he was once again waived and signed to the Cowboys’ practice squad. However, he was promoted to the active roster in November and quickly became an impact player despite playing in just five games (21 tackles, five passes defended and a sack).
OG Luke Newman – Chicago Bears
Newman was picked by the Bears in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft (No. 195 overall) and impressed throughout training camp and the preseason. He will provide solid depth along a suddenly stellar Chicago offensive line. The Michigan native spent his graduate senior year at Michigan State last season after transferring from Holy Cross and earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades in 2024.
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Luke Newman (70) was selected by the Chicago Bears in the sixth round of the 2025 NFL Draft. | Photo by Nick King | USA Today Network
RB Nathan Carter – Atlanta Falcons
Carter had a really nice preseason for the Falcons, which included a 43-yard touchdown run against the Titans, and earned a roster nod heading into the 2025 season. He’ll likely be third on the depth chart in a talented running backs room led by Bijan Robinson and Tyler Allgeier, but Carter has a great opportunity in front of him after being signed by the Falcons as an undrafted free agent.
Notable recent cuts include linebacker Jordan Turner (Denver Broncos), center Nick Samac (Baltimore Ravens), offensive tackle A.J. Arcuri (Los Angeles Rams), safety Kendell Brooks (Tennessee Titans), running back Kay’ron Lynch-Adams (Carolina Panthers) and linebacker Jacoby Windmon (Carolina Panthers).
Note: Defensive tackle Jacob Slade was waived by the Pittsburgh Steelers on Aug. 1 and reverted back to the team’s Reserve/Injured list where he is currently still listed.
Editor’s Note: Ryan O’Bleness also contributed to this article.
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