Gridiron Heroics partners with Draft Scout to give each school’s Top 5 NFL Draft prospects in the Big Ten.
Welcome to a list of the Michigan State Top 5 NFL Draft prospects for 2023, as seen by Draft Scout.
Each week brings us closer and closer to one of the most anticipated days on the sports calendar — the NFL Draft. This year’s draft will be held in Kansas City, Mo. from April 27-29. Starting today, we take a look at the Michigan State seniors, the class of 2023. Since we don’t know yet which underclassmen will declare., we’ll reconfigure the rankings when that happens. So be sure to revisit us.
Our Big Ten Draft prospect series will run beginning Nov. 14 and will run for the next week, with three schools running per day in alphabetical order. A master conference list of the Big Ten’s Top 20 NFL draft prospects will wrap things up on Monday, Nov. 21. Please check the team links below frequently so you can check out the other schools’ top prospects as the week progresses.
BIG TEN TOP 20 PROSPECTS: Overall Big Ten Top Prospect List
BIG TEN EAST PROSPECTS: Indiana | Maryland | Michigan | Michigan State | Ohio State | Penn State | Rutgers
BIG TEN WEST PROSPECTS: Illinois | Iowa | Minnesota| Nebraska | Northwestern| Purdue| Wisconsin
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We all know that not every team in the country has five surefire draft picks on it. Some programs do, especially in some of the more elite conferences. But the vast majority don’t have that many top-flight prospects. But, we also know that the definition “top-flight” doesn’t always pan out. And at the same time, that strong undrafted free agent everybody forgot? He ends up making the NFL and flourishing.
Below is a look at the Michigan State Top 5 Draft Prospects and how they project in the eyes of Draft Scout. Again, for now, we’ll go strictly with seniors, as no underclassmen have been allowed to declare earlier yet. Though when they do, we’ll update the lists below.
Michigan State TOP 5 NFL DRAFT PROSPECTS
NO. 1 PROSPECT
NAME: Jayden Reed (Wide Receiver)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 4th or 5th round
CAREER STATISTICS: In his four year college career, first year at Western Michigan and the last three with the Spartans, Reed has 193 catches for 2,778 yards and 26 touchdowns. His average yards per catch is 14.4 with a career long of 85 yards. Reed also has a rushing touchdown and passing touchdown under his belt. He was also First Team All Big Ten and First Team All American
THE TRUTH: He is undersized. Now that the one negative is out of the way, this man can play football. He has elite foot speed and his route running versus both man and zone defenses is at a high level. Reed’s elite speed, quickness, and hidden strength make him very dangerous for yards after catch. Reed will be a starting slot receiver his first year in the league, and definitely has the skills and talent to be a number one for any team in the NFL.
NO. 2 PROSPECT
NAME: Bryce Baringer (Punter)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 5th or 6th round
CAREER STATISTICS: The sixth year player, three year starter at punter, has 153 career punts. He is averaging 46 yards per punt with a career long of 78 yards. Just to show he isn’t afraid to stick his nose in on a play, the Ray Guy Award Watch List punter does have 3 career tackles.
THE TRUTH: He is the best punter in college football. Bryce’s average per punt has gone up every year at Michigan State and he is currently leading FBS in yards per punt in 2022 at 49.64 yards per punt; 2 plus yards more than anyone else. Baringer won’t be a fans “sexy pick” because it’s punting, but special teams coordinators will love him flipping 50 yards of field position in the NFL.
NO. 3 PROSPECT
NAME: Ameer Speed (Cornerback)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round
CAREER STATISTICS: The sixth year senior transfer from Georgia has 83 career tackles, with 50 of them being solo. Speed also has 4 career pass deflections.
THE TRUTH: The truth is, while at Georgia, it was hard for him to get on the field with the great talent around him. The numbers don’t look like an NFL draft prospect, but numbers do lie sometimes. Look at his size at 6’3, 210 lbs with long arms and 4.5 speed. I think he is worth a late pick based on his size and speed. Speed is the perfect size and has the talent to cover tight ends. Look at the trends in the NFL, tight ends are faster and taller, creating bad matchups for corners and linebackers. I think speed could be a perfect tweener to cover such players as well as playing the nickel.
NO. 4 PROSPECT
NAME: Jarrett Horst (Offensive Tackle)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: 7th round or High Priority Free Agent
CAREER STATISTICS: Horst transferred to Michigan State from Arkansas State his Junior year 2021. While at Arkansas State he was awarded Third Team All Sun Belt his sophomore year and First Team All Sun Belt in 2020 while also being on the Outland Trophy Watch List. His first year at Michigan State he was on the honorable mention All Big Ten team.
THE TRUTH: He is a much better run blocking tackle than pass blocker and he’s had injuries in the past. This year he has been a staple of the Michigan State offensive line, starting every game at left tackle. He needs to get quicker in his steps versus pass rushers on the edge. I do see him being a free agent invite to camp; and with his size and great run blocking ability a slide down to guard may help him make a roster. I love his motor and how he finishes run blocks.
NO. 5 PROSPECT
NAME: Nick Samac (Center)
DRAFTSCOUT PROJECTION: High Priority Free Agent
CAREER STATISTICS: He is a Three Year Letter winner and 2 time All Big Ten Academic Team
THE TRUTH: He did not earn and keep the starting center position until this year in his career at Michigan State. That may turn scouts away from drafting him; look deeper. Nick is a guard in the NFL. Look at the tape. He can pull down the line and his run blocking and the one word to describe his play is consistent. Samac will get a call from a few teams to join camps. I predict he will make a roster as a backup center/guard combo and will get some time on the field.
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