Michigan State Football: Tracking where the 2026 undrafted Spartans land in the NFL
Former Spartans are trying to earn their way to the league through the undrafted free agent path
For players coming out of Michigan State, going undrafted in the NFL is not the end of the road, but rather a quick shift into decision-making mode.
As soon as the draft ends, teams start calling, and players have to choose where they think they have the best chance to make a roster. Instead of being locked into one team, they can look for a good fit, a need at their position, and a clearer path to playing time.
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Once they sign, they go into rookie minicamp and training camp knowing they have to prove themselves right away, because teams have less invested in them than draft picks. It is a tough path, but it is a real one, and players understand that if they take advantage of their chances, they can still build a career from it.
Here are the Michigan State Spartans who went undrafted but are trying to earn their way to the league through the undrafted free agent path:
Jack Velling (Atlanta Falcons)
In two seasons with Michigan State, the Seattle native caught 72 passes for 770 yards and four touchdowns after transferring in with coach Jonathan Smith from Oregon State.
He earned third-team All-Big Ten (media) and honorable mention (coaches) in 2025, finishing with 36 catches for 359 yards and three touchdowns while starting 10 games, matching his 36 receptions from 2024, when he totaled 411 yards and a score. Before MSU, he had 45 catches for 719 yards and 11 touchdowns in two seasons at Oregon State.
Omari Kelly (Chicago Bears)
After a one-year stint in East Lansing where he ranked second on Michigan State with 626 receiving yards on 47 catches, Kelly is headed to Chicago.
Across stops at Auburn, Middle Tennessee State, and MSU, he totaled 105 catches for 1,596 yards and six receiving touchdowns, adding return and rushing production to reach 1,862 all-purpose yards, with five career 100-yard games and his 1,000-yard milestone coming in the 2025 opener.
Malik Spencer (Washington Commanders)
Spencer is headed to the Washington Commanders after a four-year run with Michigan State.
A 38-game contributor with 29 starts at safety, he totaled 173 tackles, 13 pass breakups, and two interceptions, adding impact plays in the backfield and earning Academic All-Big Ten honors three times.
Elijah Tau-Tolliver (Baltimore Ravens)
The Sacramento State transfer is headed to the Baltimore Ravens after one season with Michigan State Spartans football.
In 53 career games, he rushed for 1,966 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 1,132 kick return yards and 528 receiving yards to reach 3,632 all-purpose yards, with eight 100-yard rushing games and 19 total touchdowns across his time at Sacramento State and MSU.
Quindarius Dunnigan (Jacksonville Jaguars)
Dunnigan played in 56 career games between Middle Tennessee State and Michigan State. He recorded 110 tackles, 26 tackles for loss, nine sacks, nine pass break-ups and two forced fumbles throughout his college career.
Joshua Eaton (Seattle Seahawks — rookie minicamp invite)
Eaton was invited to participate in the Seattle Seahawks' rookie minicamp, which will take place either on May 1 through May 4, or May 8 through May 11. The Seahawks are the reigning world champions after defeating the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LX in February.
Eaton spent one season in East Lansing in 2025 after transferring in from Texas State. He played in all 12 games and made eight starts for the Spartans this past season. Eaton recorded 19 tackles and two pass break-ups.
In addition to Michigan State and Texas State, Eaton started his collegiate career at Oklahoma. In 55 career games throughout his six-year career in the college ranks, Eaton recorded 75 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, one sack and 15 passes defended.
Malcolm Bell (Cleveland Browns — rookie minicamp invite)
According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV, Michigan State cornerback Malcolm Bell has been invited to rookie minicamp with the Cleveland Browns. Again, rookie minicamps dates are not finalized for each team, but May 1 through May 4, or May 8 through May 11.
Bell, a Canada native, played one season with MSU in 2025 after transferring in from Connecticut. In 12 games, (11 starts), he tallied career-highs in total tackles with 49, tackles for loss with five and pass-break-ups with six. Bell also recorded his first career sack.
Overall, Bell played in 45 career games with 31 starts between UConn and MSU. He amassed 143 total tackles, nine tackles for loss, one sack, 19 pass break-ups and one forced fumble.
Wayne Matthews III (Chicago Bears - rookie minicamp invite)
Matthews has been invited to the Chicago Bears’ rookie minicamp after a two-year run with Michigan State following his transfer from Old Dominion.
Across 47 career games, he piled up 254 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 3.5 sacks, with additional production in coverage and forced turnovers. He recorded 106 tackles in 21 games at MSU after a 135-tackle season at Old Dominion in 2023, where he ranked among the national leaders and earned all-conference honors.
