Michigan State fans had to wait until Saturday's closing rounds of the NFL Draft to hear a Spartan's name called, but both of the program's top prospects went in close succession in the sixth round.
Matt Gulbin, center, went 209th overall to the Washington Commanders while punter Ryan Eckley followed at 211th to the Baltimore Ravens. They became the 324th and 325th players selected from Michigan State in NFL Draft history.
Gulbin finished the season rated as one of the best centers in Division I according to Pro Football Focus, whose ratings informed the Rimington Trophy that went to Iowa’s Logan Jones, who was picked 57th overall to Chicago on Friday. His 760 offensive snaps led all Spartans, though he missed the season — and Jonathan Smith era — finale against Maryland at Ford Field.
Gulbin, who is from Wilton, Conn., came to Michigan State by way of Wake Forest, where he played for Nick Tabacca —funny enoughm Tabacca is now with the Spartans as Pat Fitzgerald’s offensive line coach. At Michigan State, Gulbin played his first full season at center, which he thought of as his natural position given his 6-foot-4 frame.
More: Deep bonds and big hits: How MSU's Matt Gulbin became one of nation’s best centers
Under Tabacca’s predecessor Jim Michalczik, Gulbin is the second offensive lineman from Michigan State to be drafted to the NFL — Luke Newman went 195th overall to the Chicago Bears last season and played in 10 games, one in the playoffs. Gulbin is the 80th offensive lineman drafted out of Michigan State in program history, the most of any position.
Eckley was named the Big Ten Punter of the Year in 2025 after averaging 48.5 yards per punt (second in Football Bowl Subdivision) and sent 23 punts beyond 50 yards. He placed 20 of his 49 attempts inside the 20-yard line and 10 inside the 10-yard line. His career average of 47.7 yards per punt broke the MSU record held by his mentor Bryce Baringer (New England Patriots) and the Big Ten record held by Tory Taylor, who was coached by now-Spartans special teams coordinator LeVar Woods at Iowa.
Eckley becomes the sixth punter in program history to be drafted out of Michigan State, and the fourth since 2002. Baringer went 192nd overall in 2022 and just played in a Super Bowl where he punted eight times for 356 yards, fifth most of any punter in a Super Bowl.
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Gulbin and Eckley were the first official Spartans off the board, though a pair of former Spartans went in the second round of the NFL Draft on Friday as edge rusher Zion Young (Missouri) went to the same Baltimore Ravens that picked Eckley at 45th overall. At 47th, former wide receiver Germie Bernard (Alabama) went to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Matt Gulbin, Ryan Eckley picked from Michigan State in NFL Draft