Nick Samac Earns Invite to NFL Combine
2/14/2024 9:54:00 AM | Football
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Former Michigan State center Nick Samac has earned an invitation to the 2024 NFL Scouting Combine at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The complete list of the 321 prospects invited to the NFL Combine, which runs from Feb. 26 through March 4, was released on Tuesday by the NFL.
The NFL Scouting Combine is organized and operated by National Football Scouting, Inc. More than 600 NFL personnel, including head coaches, general managers, scouts and medical staff representing all 32 teams, will attend the NFL Scouting Combine and evaluate the nation's top college players eligible for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft through on-field drills, physical testing, psychological exams, as well as formal and informal interviews.
NFL Network, NFL+ and NFL.com will offer multi-platform coverage of the 2024 scouting combine, beginning with on-field drills starting on Thursday, Feb. 29.
A five-year letterwinner, Samac played in 49 career games for the Spartans from 2019-23, including 32 starts at center. He played in 11 games this past season with 10 starts at center, but suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter at Indiana on Nov. 18 and was unable to participate in any postseason all-star games. Samac earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades in 2022 and 2023 and is the first Spartan offensive lineman invited to the NFL Combine since Brian Allen in 2018.
A total of 63 Michigan State players have been invited to the NFL Combine since 2008.
The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25-27 in Detroit.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU INVITES (63) SINCE 2008 – BY YEAR
2008 (4): RB Jehuu Caulcrick, TE Kellen Davis, WR Devin Thomas, S Nehemiah Warrick
2009 (3): QB Brian Hoyer, RB Javon Ringer, S Otis Wiley
2010 (2): PK Brett Swenson, WR Blair White
2011 (4): WR Mark Dell, TE Charlie Gantt, LB Greg Jones, CB Chris L. Rucker
2012 (6): RB Edwin Baker, QB Kirk Cousins, WR B.J. Cunningham, WR Keshawn Martin, S Trenton Robinson, DT Jerel Worthy
2013 (4): CB Johnny Adams, RB Le'Veon Bell, DE William Gholston, TE Dion Sims
2014 (4): LB Max Bullough, CB Darqueze Dennard, WR Bennie Fowler, S Isaiah Lewis
2015 (6): S Kurtis Drummond, LB Taiwan Jones, RB Jeremy Langford, WR Tony Lippett, WR Keith Mumphery, CB Trae Waynes
2016 (7): C Jack Allen, WR Aaron Burbridge, DE Shilique Calhoun, OT Jack Conklin, QB Connor Cook, DT Joel Heath, DL Lawrence Thomas
2017 (3): LB Riley Bullough, DL Malik McDowell, S Montae Nicholson
2018 (1): OL Brian Allen
2019 (4): WR Felton Davis III, CB Justin Layne, RB LJ Scott, S Khari Willis
2020 (7): LB Joe Bachie, QB Brian Lewerke, CB Josiah Scott, WR Darrell Stewart, WR Cody White, DE Kenny Willekes, DT Raequan Williams
*2021 (2): CB Shakur Brown, DT Naquan Jones
2022 (3): TE Connor Heyward, WR Jalen Nailor, RB Kenneth Walker III
2023 (2): P Bryce Baringer, WR Jayden Reed
2024 (1): C Nick Samac
*Brown and Jones officially earned invites to the 2021 NFL Combine, but the in-person event was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU INVITES (63) SINCE 2008 – BY POSITION
QB (4): Brian Hoyer (2009), Kirk Cousins (2012), Connor Cook (2016), Brian Lewerke (2020)
RB (7): Jehuu Caulcrick (2008), Javon Ringer (2009), Edwin Baker (2012), Le'Veon Bell (2013), Jeremy Langford (2015), LJ Scott (2019), Kenneth Walker III (2022)
WR (14): Devin Thomas (2008), Blair White (2010), Mark Dell (2011), B.J. Cunningham (2012), Keshawn Martin (2012), Bennie Fowler (2014), Tony Lippett (2015), Keith Mumphery (2015), Aaron Burbridge (2016), Felton Davis III (2019), Darrell Stewart (2020), Cody White (2020), Jalen Nailor (2022), Jayden Reed (2023)
OL (4): C Jack Allen (2016), OT Jack Conklin (2016), OL Brian Allen (2018), C Nick Samac (2024)
TE (4): Kellen Davis (2008), Charlie Gantt (2011), Dion Sims (2013), Connor Heyward (2022)
DL (9): DT Jerel Worthy (2012), DE William Gholston (2013), DE Shilique Calhoun (2016), DT Joel Heath (2016), DL Lawrence Thomas (2016), DL Malik McDowell (2017), DE Kenny Willekes (2020), DT Raequan Williams (2020), DT Naquan Jones* (2021)
LB (5): Greg Jones (2011), Max Bullough (2014), Taiwan Jones (2015), Riley Bullough (2017), Joe Bachie (2020)
DB (14): S Nehemiah Warrick (2008), S Otis Wiley (2009), CB Chris L. Rucker (2011), S Trenton Robinson (2012), CB Johnny Adams (2013), CB Darqueze Dennard (2014), S Isaiah Lewis (2014), S Kurtis Drummond (2015), CB Trae Waynes (2015), S Montae Nicholson (2017), CB Justin Layne (2019), S Khari Willis (2019), CB Josiah Scott (2020), CB Shakur Brown* (2021)
PK (1): Brett Swenson (2010)
P (1): Bryce Baringer (2023)
C NICK SAMAC | 6-4 | 305 | Mentor, Ohio | Mentor High School
CAREER NOTES: Five-year letterwinner played in 49 career games (six in 2019, seven in 2020, 13 in 2021, 12 in 2022, 11 in 2023), including 32 starts at center (four in 2019, six in 2020, 12 in 2022, 10 in 2023) . . . played nearly 2,500 snaps (2,427) at center during his five-year Spartan career . . . three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . graduated in December 2022 with a bachelor's degree in communication.
2023 SEASON (GRADUATE SENIOR): Played in 11 games, including 10 starts at center . . . suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter at Indiana on Nov. 18 . . . played a total of 579 snaps at center . . . honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media . . . was a game captain for five games (Washington, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Indiana) . . . played every snap in five total games (Nebraska, Minnesota, Rutgers, Iowa and Maryland), including streak of three straight games (Rutgers, Iowa, Maryland), while playing in all but two snaps in one other game (Michigan) . . . was starting center in game at Indiana, playing in first eight snaps of game, before suffering season-ending injury . . . started game at Ohio State at center and registered 44 snaps . . . in final home game at Spartan Stadium, joined fellow offensive lineman J.D. Duplain in playing all 56 snaps in win over Nebraska . . . started game at Minnesota and matched jersey number by logging all 59 offensive snaps . . . was starting center in Michigan game and posted 58 of 60 offensive snaps . . . got starting nod at center at Rutgers and played all 73 offensive snaps . . . started game at Iowa at center, playing all 79 snaps . . . was starting center in Maryland game and was in on all 81 offensive snaps . . . started Washington game and recorded 49 snaps . . . saw increased role in Richmond game, starting at center and registering 39 snaps . . . saw limited action due to an injury in season opener vs. Central Michigan, logging 33 offensive snaps . . . named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the nation's most outstanding center.
2022 SEASON (SENIOR): Started at center in all 12 games, registering an offense-leading 803 snaps . . . honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media . . . served as a game captain twice (Michigan, Penn State) . . . drew start at center at Penn State, logging all 77 offensive snaps, part of all five offensive linemen and six offensive players overall playing every snap . . . started Indiana game at center and played all 96 snaps, one of five offensive linemen and six total offensive players to be in on every snap . . . was starting center for Rutgers game, initiating all 75 offensive snaps, one of four linemen and five overall offensive players to play in every snap . . . drew start at center at Illinois, playing in all 60 offensive snaps . . . started Michigan game at center, logging 52 snaps . . . was starting center in Wisconsin game, playing in 67 of 68 offensive plays . . . started Ohio State game at center, playing in all 54 offensive snaps, sharing the team lead with fellow lineman Spencer Brown . . . started at Maryland at center, playing in all 72 snaps, one of three offensive linemen and one of four offensive players overall to play in every offensive snap . . . was starting center in Minnesota game, playing all 46 snaps, one of four offensive linemen to play every offensive snap . . . started at center at Washington, and played in all 77 snaps . . . was starting center in Akron game, playing 69 snaps, which led all offensive players . . . started season opener vs. Western Michigan at center and played in all 58 offensive snaps, one of two offensive linemen to do so.
2021 SEASON (JUNIOR): Earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades for the second year in a row . . . played in all 13 games, logging 307 total offensive snaps at center . . . split time with starter Matt Allen at center . . . played 21 snaps in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt . . . was in on 16 snaps in both Penn State and at Ohio State games . . . tallied 29 offensive snaps in Maryland game . . . played 21 offensive snaps at Purdue . . . got in on action in Michigan game, playing 13 offensive snaps . . . recorded 29 snaps at Indiana . . . was in on 33 snaps at Rutgers . . . collected 35 snaps in Western Kentucky contest . . . notched 24 snaps in Nebraska game . . . played in 28 snaps at Miami . . . saw action in home opener vs. Youngstown State, playing 28 snaps against the Penguins. . . got action in season-opening win at Northwestern, playing 14 snaps.
2020 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Played in all seven games, including six starts at center (Penn State, Ohio State, Northwestern, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan) . . . played in 410 of 498 total offensive plays . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . .was starting center at Penn State and played in all 72 snaps . . . started Ohio State game at center, playing in 60 of the 66 total snaps, in on all the offensive snaps before the reserves came on in the final series . . . was starting center in the Northwestern game, playing in all 76 snaps and helping road grade a path for MSU's rushing attack to post a season-high 195 yards on 47 carries . . . played in all 52 offensive snaps vs. No. 10 Indiana . . . started game at Iowa at center, playing in all 71 plays . . . started at center in Michigan game in place of injured starter Matt Allen, playing all 75 snaps, and had key block on Connor Heyward's screen pass for TD in the fourth quarter for MSU's insurance score . . . played four snaps vs. Rutgers.
2019 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in seven games, including four starts at center (Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, Illinois), to earn his first letter . . . played a total of 328 snaps . . . took over the starting role at center following the injury to starter Matt Allen . . . saw action for all 80 snaps vs. Maryland . . . played all 81 snaps in win at Rutgers . . . played 62 snaps while starting at Michigan . . . played a season-high 90 snaps in his first career start vs. Illinois . . . made his collegiate debut in Week 2 win against Western Michigan . . . enrolled for the 2019 spring semester and participated in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rated one of the top offensive guard prospects in the state of Ohio by 247Sports (No. 3), Rivals.com (No. 6) and ESPN.com (No. 6) . . . ranked among the best overall players in the state of Ohio by 247Sports (No. 15), ESPN.com (No. 33) and Rivals.com (No. 50) . . . named one of the best 100 players in the Midwest by ESPN.com . . . listed as one of the top offensive guards in the country by 247Sports (No. 27) and ESPN.com (No. 50) . . . helped lead Mentor to an 11-2 record, the Greater Cleveland Conference title, and a berth in the OHSAA Division 1, Region 1 finals under Coach Steve Trivisonno . . . named to the OPSWA All-Ohio Division 1 Second Team as an offensive lineman . . . also chosen to the Ohio All-Northeast Lakes District First Team . . . as a junior, was an anchor on the offensive line as Mentor went 13-2 and advanced to the OHSAA Division 1 championship game . . . son of Joe and Tammy Samac . . . born Aug. 21, 2001 . . . communication major graduated in December 2022.
The NFL Scouting Combine is organized and operated by National Football Scouting, Inc. More than 600 NFL personnel, including head coaches, general managers, scouts and medical staff representing all 32 teams, will attend the NFL Scouting Combine and evaluate the nation's top college players eligible for the upcoming 2024 NFL Draft through on-field drills, physical testing, psychological exams, as well as formal and informal interviews.
NFL Network, NFL+ and NFL.com will offer multi-platform coverage of the 2024 scouting combine, beginning with on-field drills starting on Thursday, Feb. 29.
A five-year letterwinner, Samac played in 49 career games for the Spartans from 2019-23, including 32 starts at center. He played in 11 games this past season with 10 starts at center, but suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter at Indiana on Nov. 18 and was unable to participate in any postseason all-star games. Samac earned honorable mention All-Big Ten accolades in 2022 and 2023 and is the first Spartan offensive lineman invited to the NFL Combine since Brian Allen in 2018.
A total of 63 Michigan State players have been invited to the NFL Combine since 2008.
The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25-27 in Detroit.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU INVITES (63) SINCE 2008 – BY YEAR
2008 (4): RB Jehuu Caulcrick, TE Kellen Davis, WR Devin Thomas, S Nehemiah Warrick
2009 (3): QB Brian Hoyer, RB Javon Ringer, S Otis Wiley
2010 (2): PK Brett Swenson, WR Blair White
2011 (4): WR Mark Dell, TE Charlie Gantt, LB Greg Jones, CB Chris L. Rucker
2012 (6): RB Edwin Baker, QB Kirk Cousins, WR B.J. Cunningham, WR Keshawn Martin, S Trenton Robinson, DT Jerel Worthy
2013 (4): CB Johnny Adams, RB Le'Veon Bell, DE William Gholston, TE Dion Sims
2014 (4): LB Max Bullough, CB Darqueze Dennard, WR Bennie Fowler, S Isaiah Lewis
2015 (6): S Kurtis Drummond, LB Taiwan Jones, RB Jeremy Langford, WR Tony Lippett, WR Keith Mumphery, CB Trae Waynes
2016 (7): C Jack Allen, WR Aaron Burbridge, DE Shilique Calhoun, OT Jack Conklin, QB Connor Cook, DT Joel Heath, DL Lawrence Thomas
2017 (3): LB Riley Bullough, DL Malik McDowell, S Montae Nicholson
2018 (1): OL Brian Allen
2019 (4): WR Felton Davis III, CB Justin Layne, RB LJ Scott, S Khari Willis
2020 (7): LB Joe Bachie, QB Brian Lewerke, CB Josiah Scott, WR Darrell Stewart, WR Cody White, DE Kenny Willekes, DT Raequan Williams
*2021 (2): CB Shakur Brown, DT Naquan Jones
2022 (3): TE Connor Heyward, WR Jalen Nailor, RB Kenneth Walker III
2023 (2): P Bryce Baringer, WR Jayden Reed
2024 (1): C Nick Samac
*Brown and Jones officially earned invites to the 2021 NFL Combine, but the in-person event was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.
NFL SCOUTING COMBINE: MSU INVITES (63) SINCE 2008 – BY POSITION
QB (4): Brian Hoyer (2009), Kirk Cousins (2012), Connor Cook (2016), Brian Lewerke (2020)
RB (7): Jehuu Caulcrick (2008), Javon Ringer (2009), Edwin Baker (2012), Le'Veon Bell (2013), Jeremy Langford (2015), LJ Scott (2019), Kenneth Walker III (2022)
WR (14): Devin Thomas (2008), Blair White (2010), Mark Dell (2011), B.J. Cunningham (2012), Keshawn Martin (2012), Bennie Fowler (2014), Tony Lippett (2015), Keith Mumphery (2015), Aaron Burbridge (2016), Felton Davis III (2019), Darrell Stewart (2020), Cody White (2020), Jalen Nailor (2022), Jayden Reed (2023)
OL (4): C Jack Allen (2016), OT Jack Conklin (2016), OL Brian Allen (2018), C Nick Samac (2024)
TE (4): Kellen Davis (2008), Charlie Gantt (2011), Dion Sims (2013), Connor Heyward (2022)
DL (9): DT Jerel Worthy (2012), DE William Gholston (2013), DE Shilique Calhoun (2016), DT Joel Heath (2016), DL Lawrence Thomas (2016), DL Malik McDowell (2017), DE Kenny Willekes (2020), DT Raequan Williams (2020), DT Naquan Jones* (2021)
LB (5): Greg Jones (2011), Max Bullough (2014), Taiwan Jones (2015), Riley Bullough (2017), Joe Bachie (2020)
DB (14): S Nehemiah Warrick (2008), S Otis Wiley (2009), CB Chris L. Rucker (2011), S Trenton Robinson (2012), CB Johnny Adams (2013), CB Darqueze Dennard (2014), S Isaiah Lewis (2014), S Kurtis Drummond (2015), CB Trae Waynes (2015), S Montae Nicholson (2017), CB Justin Layne (2019), S Khari Willis (2019), CB Josiah Scott (2020), CB Shakur Brown* (2021)
PK (1): Brett Swenson (2010)
P (1): Bryce Baringer (2023)
C NICK SAMAC | 6-4 | 305 | Mentor, Ohio | Mentor High School
CAREER NOTES: Five-year letterwinner played in 49 career games (six in 2019, seven in 2020, 13 in 2021, 12 in 2022, 11 in 2023), including 32 starts at center (four in 2019, six in 2020, 12 in 2022, 10 in 2023) . . . played nearly 2,500 snaps (2,427) at center during his five-year Spartan career . . . three-time Academic All-Big Ten selection . . . graduated in December 2022 with a bachelor's degree in communication.
2023 SEASON (GRADUATE SENIOR): Played in 11 games, including 10 starts at center . . . suffered a season-ending injury in the first quarter at Indiana on Nov. 18 . . . played a total of 579 snaps at center . . . honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media . . . was a game captain for five games (Washington, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio State, Indiana) . . . played every snap in five total games (Nebraska, Minnesota, Rutgers, Iowa and Maryland), including streak of three straight games (Rutgers, Iowa, Maryland), while playing in all but two snaps in one other game (Michigan) . . . was starting center in game at Indiana, playing in first eight snaps of game, before suffering season-ending injury . . . started game at Ohio State at center and registered 44 snaps . . . in final home game at Spartan Stadium, joined fellow offensive lineman J.D. Duplain in playing all 56 snaps in win over Nebraska . . . started game at Minnesota and matched jersey number by logging all 59 offensive snaps . . . was starting center in Michigan game and posted 58 of 60 offensive snaps . . . got starting nod at center at Rutgers and played all 73 offensive snaps . . . started game at Iowa at center, playing all 79 snaps . . . was starting center in Maryland game and was in on all 81 offensive snaps . . . started Washington game and recorded 49 snaps . . . saw increased role in Richmond game, starting at center and registering 39 snaps . . . saw limited action due to an injury in season opener vs. Central Michigan, logging 33 offensive snaps . . . named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List for the nation's most outstanding center.
2022 SEASON (SENIOR): Started at center in all 12 games, registering an offense-leading 803 snaps . . . honorable mention All-Big Ten selection by the coaches and media . . . served as a game captain twice (Michigan, Penn State) . . . drew start at center at Penn State, logging all 77 offensive snaps, part of all five offensive linemen and six offensive players overall playing every snap . . . started Indiana game at center and played all 96 snaps, one of five offensive linemen and six total offensive players to be in on every snap . . . was starting center for Rutgers game, initiating all 75 offensive snaps, one of four linemen and five overall offensive players to play in every snap . . . drew start at center at Illinois, playing in all 60 offensive snaps . . . started Michigan game at center, logging 52 snaps . . . was starting center in Wisconsin game, playing in 67 of 68 offensive plays . . . started Ohio State game at center, playing in all 54 offensive snaps, sharing the team lead with fellow lineman Spencer Brown . . . started at Maryland at center, playing in all 72 snaps, one of three offensive linemen and one of four offensive players overall to play in every offensive snap . . . was starting center in Minnesota game, playing all 46 snaps, one of four offensive linemen to play every offensive snap . . . started at center at Washington, and played in all 77 snaps . . . was starting center in Akron game, playing 69 snaps, which led all offensive players . . . started season opener vs. Western Michigan at center and played in all 58 offensive snaps, one of two offensive linemen to do so.
2021 SEASON (JUNIOR): Earned Academic All-Big Ten accolades for the second year in a row . . . played in all 13 games, logging 307 total offensive snaps at center . . . split time with starter Matt Allen at center . . . played 21 snaps in the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl victory over No. 12 Pitt . . . was in on 16 snaps in both Penn State and at Ohio State games . . . tallied 29 offensive snaps in Maryland game . . . played 21 offensive snaps at Purdue . . . got in on action in Michigan game, playing 13 offensive snaps . . . recorded 29 snaps at Indiana . . . was in on 33 snaps at Rutgers . . . collected 35 snaps in Western Kentucky contest . . . notched 24 snaps in Nebraska game . . . played in 28 snaps at Miami . . . saw action in home opener vs. Youngstown State, playing 28 snaps against the Penguins. . . got action in season-opening win at Northwestern, playing 14 snaps.
2020 SEASON (SOPHOMORE): Played in all seven games, including six starts at center (Penn State, Ohio State, Northwestern, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan) . . . played in 410 of 498 total offensive plays . . . Academic All-Big Ten selection . . .was starting center at Penn State and played in all 72 snaps . . . started Ohio State game at center, playing in 60 of the 66 total snaps, in on all the offensive snaps before the reserves came on in the final series . . . was starting center in the Northwestern game, playing in all 76 snaps and helping road grade a path for MSU's rushing attack to post a season-high 195 yards on 47 carries . . . played in all 52 offensive snaps vs. No. 10 Indiana . . . started game at Iowa at center, playing in all 71 plays . . . started at center in Michigan game in place of injured starter Matt Allen, playing all 75 snaps, and had key block on Connor Heyward's screen pass for TD in the fourth quarter for MSU's insurance score . . . played four snaps vs. Rutgers.
2019 SEASON (FRESHMAN): Played in seven games, including four starts at center (Maryland, Rutgers, Michigan, Illinois), to earn his first letter . . . played a total of 328 snaps . . . took over the starting role at center following the injury to starter Matt Allen . . . saw action for all 80 snaps vs. Maryland . . . played all 81 snaps in win at Rutgers . . . played 62 snaps while starting at Michigan . . . played a season-high 90 snaps in his first career start vs. Illinois . . . made his collegiate debut in Week 2 win against Western Michigan . . . enrolled for the 2019 spring semester and participated in spring practice.
HIGH SCHOOL AND PERSONAL DATA: Rated one of the top offensive guard prospects in the state of Ohio by 247Sports (No. 3), Rivals.com (No. 6) and ESPN.com (No. 6) . . . ranked among the best overall players in the state of Ohio by 247Sports (No. 15), ESPN.com (No. 33) and Rivals.com (No. 50) . . . named one of the best 100 players in the Midwest by ESPN.com . . . listed as one of the top offensive guards in the country by 247Sports (No. 27) and ESPN.com (No. 50) . . . helped lead Mentor to an 11-2 record, the Greater Cleveland Conference title, and a berth in the OHSAA Division 1, Region 1 finals under Coach Steve Trivisonno . . . named to the OPSWA All-Ohio Division 1 Second Team as an offensive lineman . . . also chosen to the Ohio All-Northeast Lakes District First Team . . . as a junior, was an anchor on the offensive line as Mentor went 13-2 and advanced to the OHSAA Division 1 championship game . . . son of Joe and Tammy Samac . . . born Aug. 21, 2001 . . . communication major graduated in December 2022.
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